Primary Teacher: Transitions and Catch-Up

Are you Ambitious, Tenacious, Enterprising?

We are looking to employ an enthusiastic and highly motivated Transition Teacher, who is able to teach both English and Mathematics to students in Year 7.

Our new colleague will help to make the transitions in teaching and learning between KS2 and KS3 as smooth as possible, whilst planning and coordinating the transitions programme.

The transition from primary to secondary school can be an exhilarating time for many children with the opportunity to experience new subjects, new activities and make new friends at a bigger school. It can be met with great excitement but in some cases students may experience nervousness at the thought of starting at a new, larger school. Your dedication to fostering a love for learning, promoting student well-being, and facilitating their transition into Key Stage 3 will be vital in their educational journey.

Our dedicated team provides a supportive network both onsite as well as support across the Federation to ensure all our staff feel encouraged to do their best. You will be part of a community of dedicated, friendly staff standing by and upholding its mission in creating and maintaining a supportive and thriving learning environment.

About Us

Harris Academy Orpington opened in September 2016, joining the highly successful Federation of Harris academies in London and the senior leaders here are experienced in creating and running great schools and that is what we are doing in BR5. We are a community school that serves families in and around Orpington and we are well on our way towards providing an outstanding education for the students who come here. We want out students to succeed and have choices in their lives; to take control of their futures and achieve beyond their dreams. We are ambitious, tenacious and enterprising and committed to helping our students succeed. Our work as a Health Science Specialist school, with students being given access to recognised professional qualifications, work experience and careers is unique and is designed to help and support the whole community who are regularly invited into the Academy to hear from guest speakers.

We have the most incredible facilities; with brand new science labs, 3 Main Halls, Dance Studios, 3 Astro Turfs, Drama Studios, dedicated Art and DT blocks, we are incredibly proud of the work that our students do here. We have developed a curriculum that is ambitious and broad. We believe in the need to nurture an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and have designed a curriculum that does just that.

We aim to ensure that every student is inspired and supported to achieve his/her personal best and learning comes first. Our motto is “Together We Can” and if you are interested in joining us, we would be very keen to meet you.

Main Areas of Responsibility

In addition to the standard responsibilities of a classroom teacher, your responsibilities will include:

• To make sure Y6 transition to secondary school goes as smoothly as possible; liaising with primary school heads/ teachers to ensure a smooth transition.
• To work closely with the Head of Year 7/Assistant Principal 7 and aid in the Pastoral support of Year 7.
• To visit feeder primary schools and establish positive professional relationships and marketing of HAO through the enthusiastic delivery of assemblies and promotion of taster learning experiences at the Academy for Year 5 & 6 pupils.
• To plan, organise and co-ordinate a quality and engaging Year 5 & 6 learning experiences programme including the Year 6 open evening/morning(s); including tours of the school, talks by the Principal and meetings with other teachers.
• To visit students in their primary schools once confirmed admissions offer to HAO.
• Work with the Admissions Officer to welcome and induct Year 7 into the school.
• Organise and lead on the taster day(s) in July for Year 6 students with local primary schools and wider academy staff.
• Organise summer school within the summer period (if and where applicable).
• Work with the Year 7 tutors alongside the Head of Year 7/Assistant Principal 7.
• Participate in the pastoral aspect of the school by being a Form Tutor, as and when required. (Tutors should be with their group at the start of each registration session and be available, as necessary, for individual consultation or guidance). As a Form Tutor, teachers are expected to help create a positive and caring ethos and implement the PSHE/FLICS programme.
• To promote the highest standards of pupil behaviour, attainment and attitudes within Year.
• To ensure good quality information about Year 7 pupils is collected from primary schools and information disseminated as required.
• To be proactive in communicating with parents of new Year 7 pupils, starting in Year 6.
• To plan a coherent package of transition activities to include Induction day and start of the first term of Year 7.
• To ensure all pupils in Year 7 know and understand the standards of behaviour expected from them and recognise that sanctions are fairly enforced.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• QTS (or equivalent) and an undergraduate degree
• Successful experience of teaching the primary curriculum
• Good understanding of current theory and best practice in teaching and learning, particularly as it relates to achieving high rates of progress of children of primary age
• Good subject knowledge of core National Curriculum
• Good understanding of child development and progression and how this impacts on planning
• Understanding of effective strategies for managing behaviour within the classroom and in accordance with the school's policy
• An understanding of equal opportunity issues and how they can be addressed in schools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.