Teacher of IT

About the role: Snowfields Academy has a truly fantastic and unique opportunity to appoint a Teacher of IT to join us and be part of our brand new academy opening in September 2020. This is an exciting and rare chance to join a school from the very beginning of its journey and play a pivotal role in its success and development, laying the path for future years. Our successful candidate could either be an NQT keen to join a highly supportive team that will support you to thrive as a teacher, or a more experienced teacher keen to work in our ASD setting who can make a real impact to the students in our care. You will be responsible for developing the curriculum within the IT remit which, ideally, will include Coding - our successful candidate will also be keen to deliver clubs to develop our students IT and Coding knowledge further.

Our teaching staff at Snowfields Academy will provide outstanding educational opportunities for all of our pupils in order to ensure every student reaches their full potential.  We are looking for outstanding practitioners who are creative and imaginative teachers with the ability to plan highly effective learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students.  Excellent classroom management skills and high expectations of all pupils are essential as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum and new assessment framework.  As a specialist ASD provision we will be looking for teachers who have a real passion for, and understanding of, meeting the complex and holistic needs of young people with ASD.

Click here to read more about Snowfields Academy.  Note that applications from teachers with cross -curricula experience are highly desirable - please state your experience and interests on your application form.  The core duties of the role are in line with the National Teaching Standards.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, therefore, early applications are encouraged. Note that all teaching roles are offered on a full-time, permanent basis.

We are looking for teachers who:

• Are graduates with QTS
• Have evidence of outstanding practice with students with additional needs and ASD
• Are an expert teacher within their subject specialism 
• Ideally, you will have worked within an SEN setting or with discrete ASD groups of students in a mainstream environment 
• Have the highest expectations of pupils and themselves with a desire to professionally develop
• Are enthusiastic, flexible, imaginative and forward thinking
• Have the ability to nurture, inspire, motivate and engage students with ASD to achieve and succeed
• Are able to form positive relationships with students, staff, parents and governor
• Possess excellent interpersonal and organisational skills

In return, our successful candidates will receive:

• The opportunity to help shape our future by joining a LAT academy
• A school community committed to nurturing young people with ASD alongside raising achievement and attainment
• A stunning environment with modern building, excellent resources and facilities, purpose built for students with ASD
• A strong commitment to support professional development opportunities
• A supportive Governing Body and Leadership Team dedicated to exceptional outcomes within a happy environment which nurtures and supports all staff and students

Working with us at Snowfields Academy: Snowfields Academy is a new secondary provision for students with ASD. We will offer 140 places across year groups 7-13 for young people who are working at or close to age related expectations. Class sizes will be small with 12 in each class, supported by 2-3 teaching assistants according to need. We will offer a range of GCSEs and other qualifications for young people on a blend of academic and vocational pathways. 

The academy will benefit from being a brand new school with a design tailored to the students it provides for, carefully considered to make the most of both its inside and outside environments in order to enhance the learning of its students. The environment will support specialisms in horticulture and catering with a purpose designed teaching kitchen, servery and cafe, and internal and external horticulture facilities supporting our students into employment. We will work closely with local businesses to offer an outstanding range of work experience opportunities and supported internships. 

At Snowfields Academy we will:

• Inspire and engage our children so they develop a lifelong love of learning, working towards the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at Key Stage 3
• Deliver a quality, inclusive education so all children are able to achieve to their full potential
• Create a learning environment where barriers to learning are overcome and students feel safe and happy and are ready to learn
• Ensure that all children feel valued and celebrate their individuality and success at every opportunity
• Always work within a multi-disciplinary framework alongside families and other professionals 
• Use personalised approaches to manage behaviour and reduce anxieties 
• Ensure safeguarding, pastoral support and embedding British Values are at the heart of all we do
• Create a culture where staff work collaboratively as part of the wider team, sharing ideas and good practice and offering support to each other

Being part of the Leigh Academies Trust: Being part of a successful multi-academy trust allows the academy to share best practice and collaborate with colleagues from a number of other schools in the local area.  As part of the 'cluster' structure all of our academies are grouped together in key geographical area to enable them to be able to support each other and share resources.  It also offers staff better access to career opportunities as the Trust is committed to developing and promoting from within wherever possible.  

Diversity at our core: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals we all bring something unique to the role regardless of age, gender, race, beliefs or disabilities which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise.

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.

Recruitment and hiring during COVID-19:  Despite the challenges we face, recruitment and hiring will continue for all Leigh Academies Trust vacancies with as little disruption as possible over the coming weeks and months.  This is for all senior, teaching and support staff appointments.  Applications will still be reviewed and interviews conducted in a timely manner, although interview activities may vary.  We will still conduct face to face interviews where possible, and will abide by social distancing protocols such as no hand-shaking, using large meeting rooms, etc.  Candidates will be given the option to interview via online video if you cannot attend in person - this can be discussed if your application is shortlisted.  If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch with the LAT Talent Team - talent@latrust.org.uk.