Teacher of Learning Support/ Temporary Head of Learning Support and SENCO

We are seeking to appoint an experienced specialist with excellent communications skills to work with pupils aged 13-18 in 2024-25 and aged 11-18 from 2025. The substantive role will be as a learning support teacher which from September 2025 will be focussed primarily on the KS3 learning support.

There is also an immediate opportunity to provide maternity cover for the Head of Learning Support from November 2024  The role will include responsibility as the designated SENCO. The post-holder will report to the Academic Deputy. 

 Teaching and Learning

·        Ensure that pupils with academic support needs are appropriately supported, taking into account their areas of strength and difficulty.

·        Ensure that subject teaching colleagues are kept informed about the individual needs of those with academic support needs and how they can best be supported.

·        Conduct 1-1 or group lessons for individual pupils requiring specialist learning support

Screening

·        Manage the screening programme.

·        Identify those pupils who may need additional short or long-term support and write provision plans for them.

·        Implement support programmes which are appropriately staffed to cater for the needs of those identified with academic support needs. 

Record Keeping

·        Ensure that records are maintained and updated as required.

·        Make IEPs and synopses of educational psychologists’ reports available to all colleagues using iSAMS.

Liaison

·        Establish and maintain good working relationships with pupils, subject teaching colleagues, tutors, housemasters/housemistresses, parents and outside professionals to ensure that pupils are properly supported.

·        Liaise with departments regarding their own provision of additional academic support to ensure the experience of the pupils is coordinated and meets their immediate need

·        Liaise with St Olave’s and feeder schools at key transition points into St Peter’s 13-18.

·        Maintain good contact with and attend any meetings of regional  SENCO and learning support forums meetings. 

Access Arrangements in Examinations

·        Keep up to speed with the JCQ regulations in ensuring that those who qualify for access arrangements (AAs) in examinations are provided for.

·        Organise the assessment of pupils who may require AAs.

·        Arrange assessments with outside professionals such as educational psychologists or medical practitioners where appropriate.

·        Ensure that all the necessary paperwork involved with examination AAs is complete and up to date.

·        Liaise with the Director of Academic Administration to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made to support pupils in both internal and external examinations.

Departmental Development

·        Ensure that an annual department development plan is in place, following discussion with department colleagues and the Academic Deputy.

·        Keep up to speed with new initiatives in the area of support for those with academic support needs.

·        Keep up to speed with research in the field of academic support needs.

·        Manage the researching and purchase of department resources.

·        Assist in the coordination of teaching of English as an Additional Language.

·        On a pre-arranged cycle, attend Subject Department meetings, visiting each department at least annually.

Training

·        Advise on whole staff training in the field of academic support needs as required.

·        Encourage department colleagues to attend appropriate training courses to ensure that their own professional development is properly nurtured and that the department is able to fulfil its commitments to pupils and parents.

Personnel Management

·        Manage the academic support team and their continuing professional development.

·        Advise the Academic Deputy on staffing and recruitment matters within the department.

·        Fulfill the role of Head of Department with respect to staff deployment, timetabling, new staff induction, mentoring, staff reviews and professional development.

Whole School

·        Attend HoDs’ meetings and other whole school committees as required to facilitate links with colleagues, subject departments and the senior leadership team and contribute to the design of whole school policies.

·        Contribute to the induction of new teaching staff in respect of Academic Support

General

1.           Health & Safety - You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, St Peter’s School’s Health and Safety policy.

2.           School values – You have a duty to ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the school’s core values and mission. You will need to be aware and comply with school rules, policies and procedures at all times including, but not limited to, those relating to safeguarding, conduct, equality and data protection.

St Peter's School strives to be diverse and inclusive. We encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the school. The school is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and pupils. This means that employees are treated fairly, irrespective of sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, gender, marital status or other reason. The post holder is expected to always comply with the provisions set out in law and the St Peter's policies on equality and diversity. The school is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Note: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities associated with the post. The post holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. This job description may be amended at any time.