SEN Teacher
Autism Unlimited
Bournemouth
- Expired
- Salary:
- Teacher Pay Scales + SEN
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 23 April 2021
Job overview
Portfield School, a non-maintained special school based in Christchurch, Dorset, was founded in 1971 by parents of children with autism. Managed by Autism Wessex, the school supports children and young people with autism and associated difficulties aged 3-19.
We are seeking highly motivated candidates with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and the ability to make a difference to join us. We are open receiving candidates with either Primary or Secondary experience. This role would also be suitable for an NQT.
You will be a fully qualified teacher with specialist interest or experience in teaching those with significant and complex learning needs. You will take responsibility for a class, supported by an established team of TAs and therapists. You will have the opportunity to take a lead role in curriculum development and to explore innovative approaches to teaching students with SEN.
We would particularly welcome applications from teachers with experience of ASD and/ or moderate to profound learning difficulties. Please include details of relevant experience and any curriculum leadership.
Salary follows Teachers’ Payscales + SEN point(s) depending on experience.
If you would like to join our committed and dynamic team and help us to continue to transform the lives of our students and families please contact us.
To support our safer recruitment processes we require your full education and career history, accompanied with two professional referee details and a supporting statement as to what skills and knowledge you could bring to the role.
Portfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to a DBS Barred List and DBS Disclosure check and satisfactory references.
About Autism Unlimited
- Autism Unlimited
- Portfield School, Parley Lane, Christchurch
- Dorset
- BH23 6BP
- United Kingdom
Founded in 1968 by parents of children with autism, The Wessex Autistic Society is a voluntary organisation, which aims to ensure that all people with autism and related conditions, and their carers in the Wessex region, have access to appropriate education, care, support and development services.
Wessex Autistic Society runs the Portfield School and is situated on the edge of the Bournemouth/Christchurch area next to Bournemouth International Airport. The school caters for up to 80 day and residential students, all of whom have Autistic Spectrum Disorders and associated learning difficulties. The LEAs wishing to take advantage of our facilities fund places at Portfield individually.
The school moved into new purpose-built premises at the end of 2002. The new school was largely funded by monies raised locally and nationally through the Domino Appeal, which continues to support further development of the school and the site. Facilities are therefore very good indeed.
Students at Portfield range in age from just 3 years old up to 19 years old and so opportunities to work in different age bands exist. Class sizes are between six and eight, and staff numbers per class depend on the needs of each student and the mix of abilities. Each class has a teacher responsible for the quality of education for their students, and for the teamwork necessary to achieve the best possible standards. The teacher is supported by at least one teachers assistant and a number of classroom assistants. The TAs deputise for the teacher to allow for non-contact time and in the event of short-term absence.
The very nature of the work at Portfield demands a close working relationship by all in the team, including parents and residential staff. The school has a strong positive ethos, and a great deal of importance is placed on appointing good team members to a family-friendly environment.
Ethos
Portfield recognises the overwhelming need to provide students with a functional means of communication at the earliest opportunity on entry to the school. This may be verbal, pictorial, symbolic or involve signing. All education at the school is based on rewarding what is good and the development of life skills is encouraged and promoted from an early age, within the context of a broad and balanced curriculum.
Use of the community is encouraged as an essential part of generalising learning and developing specific skills.
The school is also committed to the development of a total learning environment, where staff and students continually learn from each other and develop their skills and knowledge.
At Portfield, and throughout the Wessex Autistic Society, Autistic Spectrum Disorders are respected as part of individual character and differences. Staff at the school try hard to make it a fun place to learn, so that students remain keen to experience the school day.
Management
All staff members, led by the Headteacher, take a part in managing the school, with teaching staff taking a variety of coordinating responsibilities for subject areas.
Parents
The school has a parent support group which meets at the school. Many of the parents also take part in the Friends Association, which raises funds and supports the school generally.
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