Teacher in Charge of Specialist Resource Provision for Autistic Pupils

Our 11-18 Boys’ Comprehensive School with a large mixed Sixth Form is seeking a well-qualified and dynamic teacher to lead our additional provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) pupils. This provision currently caters for 8 boys with autism. The pupils all have statements/plans and have needs above what would normally be met in a mainstream school. 

We are a truly inclusive school that embraces all aspects of comprehensive education. The curriculum is well balanced and reflects the needs of the boys and the local community in that we cater for the academic and the vocational. The school is a Specialist School in Mathematics and Computing with Applied Learning as a second specialism.

It is an exciting time to join the school as we are starting a rebuilding project that will see a completely new school building due to be opened in January 2018 when the school will become co-educational.

The core responsibilities for this role include:

• To develop and sustain a highly effective specialist provision for children with ASC.
• To support, hold accountable, develop and lead all staff within the SRP to ensure high standards of teaching and learning, maximise pupil progress and attainment and secure the wellbeing of children and staff.
• To support and lead other staff in understanding and supporting the needs of pupils with ASC and similar social, communication issues.
• Reporting directly to the Learning Support Co-ordinator.

Essential Qualities for this role:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• A minimum of 3 years working with children in KS3 and 4 with SEN.
• Experience of teaching in a mainstream Secondary setting.
• Evidence of using autism specific approaches to differentiate the curriculum. 
• Evidence demonstrating successful inclusion of pupils with SEN in the mainstream. 
• Experience of working with parents and other professionals to support pupils with SEN.
• Knowledge of specialist resources and approaches to teaching children with autism.
• Ability to lead and manage a team to secure high quality provision for children with autism. 
• Ability to foster commitment from staff.
• Ability to work with Learning Support Co-ordinator, Head of Inclusion and Head teacher to contribute to school improvement.
• Enthusiastic and committed approach to working with children with autism. 
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) and ability to relate to people at a variety of levels.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Empathetic and sensitive manner.
• Proactive approach to own professional development.
• Commitment to working in partnership with parents and carers.
• Understand cultural difference and work to modify communication and practices in order to provide an accessible inclusive service.

Desirable Qualities:

• Further training or qualifications relevant to pupils with ASC.
• Working with children in KS3 and 4 with ASC.
• Experience of advising others on strategies for successful inclusion. 
• Evidence of successful experience of teaching children with autism/social communication disorders in a Designated Specialist Provision or special school in the primary phase.
• Experience of planning programmes to meet the diverse needs of children with autism. 
• Experience of working with other professionals and therapists to support pupils with SEN.
• Experience of planning and implementing individual programmes for pupils with autism with other professionals.
• Knowledge of current research on autism and successful approaches. 
• Knowledge of statutory assessment process and annual reviews.
• Experience of delivering autism-specific training.

To apply and for more information please contact John Byrne at CER on 0207 202 0031 or via email at john.byrne3@capita.co.uk

The school has a strong ethos of student welfare, therefore, any successful applicant will undergo a full enhanced criminal record check (DBS).

Applications will be reviewed and interview arranged on a rolling basis. As such, early application is recommended.