Teacher in Horizons, Resource Provision

Secondary School 11-16 years
Number on roll: 656

Required to Start: September 2022

Teacher in Horizons, Resource Provision 

MPR/UPR

Due to the exciting growth of our specialist provisions within The GORSE Academies Trust, which has seen our number of places expand to 55 over both Rainbow Base and Horizons, we are seeking to appoint an exceptional teacher for Horizons, who has an outstanding record of leadership and achievement and is committed to the success of this Resource Provision. 

We are a provision which currently caters for the needs of 20 students with complex communication needs and/or autism. We are passionate about providing the best for our pupils and supporting them to become life-long, enthusiastic learners. Our pupils benefit from a curriculum which is tailored to their individual needs, enabling all pupils to reach their full potential, both academically and socially. We are seeking to appoint an individual who can continue to build on the practice currently in place for our wonderful children on our journey to becoming an outstanding provision.

If you have the skills to teach pupils with complex needs to the highest quality and to embed a learning culture that enables children to become enthusiastic and independent learners, then this is the role for you!

You will be an outstanding practitioner who:

• is dedicated to raising standards and is able to demonstrate highly effective teaching skills 
• demonstrates excellent and innovative pedagogical approaches for teaching and learning 
• can demonstrate the ability to plan an exciting, inspiring curriculum 
• is able to coach and mentor staff to reach high standards in our school and also across the wider Trust
• recognises parents as vital partners in learning and is committed to building strong relationships

The successful candidate will also have the following experience and attributes:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• A proven track record of achieving academic excellence. 
• Evidence of implementing innovative approaches to learning, particularly in regard to children with ASD. 
• Experience of understanding the needs of children and young people who benefit from specialist provision within a mainstream setting. 
• Resilience, energy and optimism. 

A unique opportunity to be part of the rapid transformation of a school, and its wider community.

John Smeaton Academy is a school on the move, and it certainly needs to be.  In 2019 its performance data placed it as the lowest performing secondary school in the city of Leeds and one of the worst performing in the country.  It is also fair to say that John Smeaton Academy is a school whose performance for many years has been unconvincing and this has resulted in its community losing its confidence in the school. Horizons, our resource provision for students with complex needs, was no expectation. 

So why would anyone choose to apply for a role at John Smeaton Academy?

On 1 September 2021 John Smeaton Academy joined The GORSE Academies Trust, an organisation renowned for excellence in education.  The trust has a nationally recognised track record of transforming inadequate schools and making them great again, or for the first time in their history.  Consequently, this role represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for any candidate who is eager to be a part of an organisation that seeks to secure the very highest educational standard for every student.  We are determined to ensure students at John Smeaton Academy are inspired to ‘Secure the Gift of Choice’ and we expect any successful candidate to be passionate and tenacious in their quest for all round academic and pastoral excellence.  

The academy, including Horizons, has already improved significantly as evidenced by parent/carer and student feedback alongside the day-to-day experience of the students.  

Do you want to be part of our team and make a real difference to the lives of children in Leeds?  

If you feel that you have the necessary experience, skills and abilities, we look forward to hearing from you.  

For more information, or to organise a visit to the school, please email Rachael Law, Head of Rainbow Base and Horizons: rachael.law@tgat.org.uk 

An Application Pack (including Job Description and Person Specification) is available to download from The GORSE Academies Trust website (www.tgat.org.uk/jobs), by email to recruitment@johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk or by telephone on 0113 831 3900. If you would like to know more about John Smeaton Academy, please visit our website at www.johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk.

Please note if you submit an electronic application, we will not require a hard copy. CV’s are not accepted.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 25th May 2022, 12pm

Applications should be returned to:   recruitment@johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk 

Interviews will take place: TBC

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.   

Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply for this position.