Learning Support Teacher (Secondary School)
About This Role
Job Overview
St Julian's School is seeking to appoint a highly committed and suitably qualified specialist to take on the position of Learning Support Teacher in our Secondary School. This is an exciting opportunity to work within an existing strong team of highly skilled Learning Support specialists in a school where students with Special Educational Needs make excellent progress.
The position is line-managed by the whole-school Head of Learning Support.
About St. Julian's School
Founded in 1932, we are a highly successful, non-selective 3-18 British international school with a reputation for academic excellence. We currently have just over 1,200 students from over 60 different nationalities. The School has three sections: Primary, Secondary, and Portuguese. The Primary Section has 480 pupils with three classes per year. The Secondary Section is four-form entry and has 630 students. The Portuguese Section has 140 students from 1º to 9º Ano one class per year.
Specific Responsibilities
For an allocated caseload of students:
Lead Provision Development
Investigate learning support needs from the point of referral/allocation
Assess needs through standardised, diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment
Liaise with Head of Learning Support (HoLS) to coordinate learning support provision planning
Update school information systems with information for allocated students
Work in partnership with teachers to implement learning plans and differentiation
Engage in shadowing and observations as required and feed back to subject teachers
Liaise with HoLS to ensure that access arrangements are in place for allocated students
Act as first point of contact in relation to allocated student learning needs
Advocate for student needs in a whole school context
Monitor Progress
Maintain clear records of assessments and file in line with departmental procedure
Collaborate in regular reviews of support plans to ensure they are relevant and effective
Keep clear records of student progress, in line with the school’s reporting procedure/cycle
Gather and provide feedback (e.g. round robins) at intervals agreed with HoLS
Communication
Liaise with relevant subject teachers in relation to student needs and support strategies
Conduct progress and review meetings with parents, teachers, tutors etc.
Inform relevant stakeholders about the outcomes of meetings
Attend parents' evenings and other meetings where appropriate
Coordinate with and refer to other departments/external professionals as appropriate
Liaise regularly with and refer any concerns to HoLS
Ensure that communication is documented filed in line with department procedure
Responsibilities as a Learning Support Teacher in Mainstream Subject Classrooms
Act as co-teacher in establishing classroom expectations, routines, and structures
Liaise with teacher about learning needs and support of students in the class
Co-plan lesson objectives and support teacher with differentiation of lessons and creation of resources
Where appropriate, provide guidance to teachers from a learning support perspective (e.g. on assessments, methodologies, next steps for support etc.)
Demonstrate high-quality teaching practice & model support strategies in the classroom
Liaise with classroom teacher to ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place for students with learning support needs
Facilitate in-class access arrangements as appropriate (e.g. by acting as a reader or scribe)
Engage in pre-teaching or re-teaching as appropriate
Support teacher to monitor and evaluate students’ progress and achievements
Collaborate in report writing and communication with home as appropriate
Responsibilities as a Learning Support Teacher of Intervention Lessons
Assess student needs using appropriate assessments
Ensure that intervention sessions are guided by the inclusion statement above:
Clear entry and exit criteria
Aimed at increasing student independence and return to mainstream lessons
Clear timeline for review
Design and plan small group and individual support sessions based on student needs
Arrive at data-informed learning objectives and share these with subject teachers
Establish high quality classroom expectations, routines, and structures
Ensure teaching is differentiated to meet individual needs
Evaluate assessment outcomes and use these to plan next steps in teaching
Develop appropriate resources to enhance student learning
Provide access arrangements or exam accommodations as appropriate
Set and mark homework and independent learning tasks as appropriate
Monitor and evaluate students’ progress and achievements
Keep relevant parties informed of students’ targets and progress at agreed intervals e.g. through review meetings, bulletin updates, report writing, parents’ evenings etc. as appropriate
Additional Departmental Responsibilities
Contribute to the training and upskilling of subject teachers and other staff
Conduct appropriate assessments (including screening, specialist assessments, and psycho-educational assessments as appropriate)
Contribute to departmental data analysis to identify potential needs, student underperformance, and whole school or departmental areas for development
Contribute to transition processes for students with learning support needs
Assist with external processes and reports as required
Offer guidance to parents as to how to support students at home as appropriate
Support with departmental administration as required
Contribute to departmental self-reviews and evaluations
Participate in continuous professional development and training
Keep up-to-date with new initiatives and developments in learning support
Whole School Responsibilities
Read and adhere to all school policies and procedures with particular attention to safeguarding, health and safety, and confidentiality procedures
Provide examination invigilation and access arrangements as required
Provide lesson cover in line with school policy
Undertake lunch and break time duties in line with school policy
Lead or contribute to assemblies and extra-curricular activities where appropriate to departmental aims
Candidate Profile
It is essential that the successful candidate will:
Hold appropriate professional qualifications and prior experience relevant to the role
Be a reflective, flexible practitioner with the ability to think creatively to respond to the complexity of school life
Have the ability to work independently and take initiative
Have the capacity to engage, motivate, and support young people with additional needs
Have the skills and experience to anticipate and manage behaviour positively, promoting self-control and independence
Have the interpersonal skills needed to work successfully within teams
Support the vision, ethos and policies of the school, including procedures around safeguarding and confidentiality
Have an ability to use ICT to support and enhance the learning process
Have strong numeracy skills and the ability to plan extension work in mathematics
Demonstrate an excellent command of professional English
Safeguarding
St. Julian’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and criminal record screening including overseas (where appropriate). Further information can be found in our Safer Recruitment Policy.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
St. Julian’s School is committed to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity is a core value at St. Julian’s. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students and staff. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.