SEND COMPLEX-NEEDS CLASS TEACHERS x2

Are you seeking a rewarding career where you can make a profound impact?

• Eager to empower students with diverse learning needs, fostering growth and independence, in particular complex learning challenges?
• Ready to cultivate inclusive environments that nurture student progress and resilience?
• Passionate about building lasting relationships, connections, boosting confidence, and promoting self-esteem?
• Excited to prepare students for successful transitions into adulthood, championing independence every step of the way?

If the answer is yes, then read on ……...

About Riverside

We are a successful co-educational secondary special school in Haringey in North London.

We are driven to deliver positive outcomes for all, according to our motto: ‘Learning to Live Life to the Full’. 

We aim to develop and nurture happy and fulfilled students whilst ensuring they have the highest possible levels of independence before moving on to Post-16 or Post-19 education and later adult life. 

We provide 165 student places in school years 7-14 across 5 teams for students with a wide range of general, moderate, complex, severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties. Approximately 67% of the school’s population have a diagnosis of autism.

The Teams

Each team consists of 3-5 classes, organised according to common levels of independence and needs, divided by key stage rather than year group:

Team 1: MLD (11-16, KS3/4) Progress 8+; students who are communicating verbally

Team 2: SLD (11-16, KS3/4)  Progress 8; students who are mostly communicating verbally

Team 3: SLD (11-16, KS3/4) Sensory Progress 8; students who are mostly communicating non-verbally

Team 4: PMLD (11-19, KS3/4/5) Developmental 8; students who are communicating non-verbally

Team 5: MLD/SLD (16-19, KS5) Specialised multi-dimensional curriculum; all communication levels

The Posts

We are looking for 2x creative and enthusiastic classteachers, one for a Team 3 Class (Main School), and one for a Team 5 class (Post-16 Annex) working broadly at Team 3 levels but with some limited verbal language.

Each class will consist of 6x or 7x students working within P-Steps 2-5 (see Website – Learning – Assessment Information – Assessment Levels Comparison). Nearly all these students will have a diagnosis of autism.

The Team 3 class curriculum will combine elements of the Team 3 ‘Progress 8’ and Team 4 ‘Developmental 8’ curricula, i.e. the classteacher will teach English, Maths, Science & PSHEE, with specialist teachers with their own rooms teaching Sensory Art, Music, PE & Food Technology.

 (see Website – Learning – Curriculum Framework – Curriculum Design pp 8-13).

The Team 5 class curriculum will follow a ‘Towards Adulthood’ model i.e.:

1. Independent Skills 2. In the Community 3. Keeping Healthy 4. Transition to Adulthood.

(see Website – Learning– Curriculum Framework– Curriculum design pp 15-17).

Staffing

There will be 3x Teaching Assistants attached to each class.

Resources for Students with Complex Needs

Hydrotherapy pool / Soft Play rooms / Dark Room / specialist outdoor play areas.

Our Achievements

The school’s achievements are recognised through a range of awards including:

 Ofsted Inspection – March 2022

‘Pupils and staff enjoy first-rate, trusting relationships. Staff are experts at managing pupils’ behaviours. They do so with consistency’.

‘Leaders prioritise teaching pupils to to communicate effectively. Staff are well-trained in a range of strategies to support pupils who are not able to speak’.

The school has an extensive programme for pupils’ enrichment outside the classroom. It makes a wonderful contribution to pupils’ personal development’.

 National Autistic Society (NAS) Certificate of Quality Autism Provision – November 2020

 ‘In all observations, staff were seen to work with autistic students to understand and regulate their emotions at an appropriate and bespoke level’.

‘All autistic students are treated with dignity, status and respect and are provided with meaningful positive feedback to boost confidence and self-esteem’

What we offer

Becoming a teacher at Riverside means joining a busy, vibrant, outward-facing and caring community. We prioritise wellbeing and ensure there is a supportive working environment.

Other benefits include: Teachers’ Pension Scheme (Teachers) and Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff), Cycle to Work scheme, Car and Cycle Parking

Visits: Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the school by individual appointment scheduled by emailing: angelaj@riverside.haringey.sch.uk or by phone: 020 8889 7814.

Visit dates - Wednesday 8 / Thursday 9 May, or Monday 13 / Tuesday 14 May.

Interested applicants: Please use the application pack attached or download an application pack directly from the school website: http://www.riverside.haringey.sch.uk. Please address each of the specification points in any applications.

Applications: Interested applicants may wish to be considered for either or both of the two posts advertised. Those who wish to follow this approach should state this clearly in the application form and the interview panel will include such expressions of interest in their decision-making.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications: Midday, Friday 17 May.

Interviews: Tuesday 21 / Wednesday 22 May.

Please note that CV applications will not be considered and that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the school