Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator

The Falkland Islands Department of Education is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, inspiring and experienced Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator to join our team in September 2022.  This is an exciting opportunity to work across the primary and secondary age range in our two schools.

We are a value-led organisation, with high ambitions for all students and staff. The values that underpin our work are Respect, Resilience and Curiosity.  

The Infant Junior School and Camp Education (IJS&CE) has 320 pupils aged from 3 to 11 years. The majority are located at the main school site in the capital, Stanley; 20 of our primary students live in rural locations and attend 3 small satellite schools and a number of home-based settings. The Falkland Islands Community School (FICS) has 210 pupils in the 11-16 age range. An Executive Headteacher, Principal of Primary, and Principal of Secondary lead the schools. Both schools have a staffing complement which includes a SENCo, senior leaders, middle leaders and a team of teachers and support staff, including Special Educational Needs teachers and Learning Support Assistants. Students with special educational needs have a range of needs in four broad categories of cognition and learning; communication and interaction; sensory and/or physical needs; social and emotional and mental health needs.  The SEND departments in both schools are well resourced and have a ‘hub’ classroom for learners with complex special educational needs.

The SENCo is responsible for directing and supporting provision and intervention strategies in mainstream and specialist teaching settings within the 3 – 16 age range.  The schools aim to match student’s provision to their learning needs and ensure that all students are supported and challenged to reach their potential.  Applicants for the post will be experienced and have up-to-date relevant knowledge within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities field.  The successful candidate will join a dedicated team and work across all of our settings.  Cross phase working supports student outcomes and curriculum development across the 3-16 age range.  

It is our aim that all students are supported to reach their potential and leave as happy, curious and well-rounded individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications they need for the next stage in their lives. Our students are at the centre of all that we do as a school.

We are seeking to recruit a SENCo who:

• can lead and inspire a team of teachers and learning support assistants to make a positive impact by focusing on teaching and learning to ensure all children with additional needs achieve their potential

• is a very organised, solutions-led and innovative leader

• is a graduate with qualified teacher status, at least 3 years' successful experience as a SENCo and at least 3 years’ teaching experience 

• has experience teaching students with a wide variety of complex needs working across the ability spectrum and is able to support the design of bespoke programmes for life skills, functional level numeracy and literacy, as well as supporting the students to enable them to access other mainstream subjects;

• can demonstrate relevant qualifications to support the role  

• has experience in more than one key stage in the 3 – 16 age range

• can demonstrate a thorough recent knowledge of the 2014 National Curriculum for England and the SEN Code of Practice

• can demonstrate ability to manage administration for SEND students, including liaising with outside agencies and tracking progress 

• is up to date with the latest SEND trends, policies and provision

• can ensure staff receive the quality relevant training

• can facilitate effective team work with colleagues, adopting a coaching and mentoring style

• has excellent interpersonal skills 

• possesses good IT skills 

• is able to contribute to the development of PSHE, pastoral life and extra curriculum opportunities.

The Package:

• A stimulating and supportive working environment with enthusiastic children who are keen to learn

• £45,833 (salary £40,502 plus SENCo TLR1 allowance £5,331)

• Eligibility for a 25% gratuity payable upon satisfactory completion of the contract

• Favourable income tax rates

• Airfare for post holder and dependants at the beginning and end of contract, as well as return airfares after every full year of the contract

• Relocation grant

• accommodation to rent

• free education locally for dependent children to GCSE level and possible allowance for overseas studies thereafter

• fixed term contract of either 2, 3 or 4 years  

• detailed information about life in the Falkland Islands

• a unique and beautiful environment to live and work

School Websites:  

https://www.secondary.ac.fk/ 

https://www.primary.ac.fk/ 

Applicants can download an application form and apply via this page.

Applicants can download a job description and further information from this page.

Interviews will be held in the week beginning Monday 21st February 2022 either by video or telephone conference call.  More details about an interview task will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

For more information please contact the Recruitment Officer, Human Resources Department, Cable Cottage, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ    E-mail: medwards@sec.gov.fk  Tel: 00 500 27420 or Fax: 00 500 27212 stating the post you are interested in.  

The closing date for this position is Friday 4th February 2022.