SEN Cover Teacher

We are proud of the fantastic learning culture at John Watson. The decisions we make are guided by SLICE. 

These 5 areas drive the work of the school. Our aim is to empower each child to ensure they can live as full and as independent lives as possible…

Safety

Learning

Independence 

Communication

Engagement

We are looking for an outstanding Early Years or Primary practitioner to join our welcoming team of committed practitioners.

Are you resilient and reflective? Do you have a passion for teaching and SEND?  If so read on…

Your role would involve covering classes across the Primary Age range on our site in the heart of Wheatley. The expectation would be that you work using our whole school systems that keep all children safe and ensure they make progress against their individual targets.

• You will have an excellent understanding of Safeguarding and children with SEND  
• You will have a passion for supporting children with SEND, recognising their unique strengths and differences
• You will have the ability to think on your feet, work flexibly with different class teams and demonstrate excellent communication skills
• You will be highly effective at supporting children who have sensory seeking challenges and the impact this may have on behaviour 
• You will be able to differentiate learning through a child led play based approach
• You will be able to adapt planning to meet individual need recognising the age and stage of pupils
• You will be expected to fill in electronic systems related to safeguarding, communicating with parents and carers, and completing curriculum planning and assessment documents

We are a Community Special School for children and young people from the ages of 2-19 years, with 110 on roll. Our pupils have severe learning difficulties, or profound and multiple learning difficulties. The designation of the school means that pupils typically have complex needs, and medical needs, requiring a high degree of differentiation and bespoke provision. In most cases our pupils are working below the national curriculum and the equivalent of Expected Levels for NCY1.

We value a happy, healthy and secure learning environment where all the needs of pupils are met, enabling each young person to reach their individual potential and maximise their independence. We provide pupils with opportunities for integrated educational experiences across shared sites with mainstream schools.

We were judged Good by Ofsted (October 2022) and are ambitious in our vision for the future provision for our pupils. We offer small classes, typically less than 10 pupils per class, working within large teams of support staff and additional NHS therapists. We have newly furbished high-spec learning spaces throughout most of the school. At our Wheatley site we have a unique relationship with Wheatley Nursery School who share our site.  There are exciting times ahead as we expand into our newly refurbished accommodation at Holton.

Please see our website www.johnwatsonschool.org for further information about the school.

Please consider the job description and person specification below and complete an application form.

Please complete the application form, which can be found on our website, and return by email to sbm@johnwatsonschool.org. The deadline for applications is Monday 17th April 2023

Please do not send CVs, applications will only be considered using the correct application form. As part of our recruitment process we will require you to fill out an overseas check prior to interview.  We will email this to you on receipt of your completed application. 

JOB DESCRIPTION - CLASS TEACHER 

General Duties

You will be expected to carry out the professional duties of a teacher as outlined in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions 2022/23 document, or any subsequent legislation and to meet the Teachers’ Standards (attached). In addition, you will be required to follow all current school policies, procedures and protocols, upholding the good reputation of the school.  

Specific Duties:  Cover Teacher 

• Promote our school values  SLICE
• Ensure all the school’s safeguarding procedures are followed in full
• At all times display a high regard for risk management through robust risk assessment and the strict adherence of school policies pertaining to Behaviour and Safety Management
• Maintain an appropriately ordered learning environment 
• Provide high quality teaching to all pupils you work with
• Be accountable for pupil attainment, progress and outcomes
• Maintain highly effective working relationships with the class teams where you are leading lessons
• Ensure effective working partnerships are maintained with the school nursing and NHS therapists
• Ensure effective home-school links are established and maintained, completing the appropriate logs for communicating with parents/carers using school wide systems
• Ensure an appropriate level of inclusion reflecting the particular needs of the individual pupil, the EHC plan and exploiting the opportunities arising from the co-location of our split site provision
• Be available to meet with teacher colleagues for an hour after school 
• Attend and participate in a weekly Professional Development Meeting
• Perform regular dinner duties (as required)

General Responsibilities: All Staff

• Follow school and county guidelines for safe working practice to safeguard pupils and staff in schools, maintaining confidentiality and attending training as required
• Take part in the school's current staff development, self-review and appraisal programmes, and school performance management systems
• Support the educational aims and philosophy of the school, contributing to all aspects of school life as a member of the school team and undertaking other duties reasonably requested by the headteacher

Specific responsibilities under Health & Safety legislation to ensure that you:

• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and the safety of others affected by your action or inaction
• Cooperate on all issues involving health and safety and safeguarding
• Report any health and safety or safeguarding concerns to your line manager as soon as practicable