Head of Learning Support

HEAD OF LEARNING SUPPORT AT WINDERMERE SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION

Accountable to: The Head, the Head of Prep and the Deputy Head

Accountable for: Teaching Assistants within the Faculty

As the Head of Learning Support the post holder has responsibility for the overall effectiveness of their team and the provision of a high quality of education and support for all students who require learning support, with the aim of raising attainment for all students through monitoring of the various staff within the faculty. As the leader of a team, the Head of Learning Support has a key role in acting as a role model, setting high expectations for students and staff, raising the profile of their Faculty and making the best use of resources to improve attainment and student engagement within the Faculty and secure excellent outcomes. They will act as an ambassador in promoting and celebrating the work and achievements of students within their faculty and ensure the vision for their faculty is shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all members of their team.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To implement Windermere School's strategic and development plan objectives as required.
• To attend official school functions as appropriate.
• To support school activities.
• If required, to act as a Tutor.
• To share in the responsibility of maintaining discipline and high standards of courtesy and appearance among the pupils, while promoting and safeguarding their welfare, safety and happiness.
• To participate in the annual Professional Development Review / Appraisal and to assist with this system for members of their team.
• To share in pastoral duties as required.
• To attend INSET and staff meetings, and lead sessions as required.
• Develop (as appropriate) links with other professionals, agencies, governors and neighbouring schools.
• Full time staff are expected to contribute to boarding weekend and evening duties.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that the Faculty is ready for Inspection and that the Faculty Handbook and all associated policies are kept up-to-date.
• To ensure the Faculty is compliant with the School's Health and Safety policies and procedures and with national Health and Safety regulations.
• To ensure the Faculty risk assessments are suitable and that they are reviewed annually and that safe methods of work have been developed as appropriate and are in use.
• To ensure all members of the faculty are familiar with, and implement, School and Faculty policies.
• To hold and chair meetings once a cycle, with formal agendas and minutes, and to share this information with the Deputy Head (Academic). Standing agenda items should include health and safety, complaints, compliments and a review of the last meeting actions. Prompt action is required where concerns have been raised.
• To manage revenue and capital budgets that reflect the needs of the Faculty within prescribed limits.
• To liaise with the Deputy Head (Academic) on matters of lesson allocation and staffing to ensure the most effective deployment of staff. Create the department timetable based on staff talents and strengths.
• Take timely action to tackle any concerns.
• Prepare information for parents and students, and respond quickly to relevant parental queries, concerns and complaints.
• To promote the achievements of the Faculty, both within and without the school, through the department web site or via the Marketing Office.
• Ensure that dates for the School diary are entered in good time.
• Creation and update of the Faculty Development Plan that sits within and feeds into the overarching School Development Plan.
• Write references and reports as requested.
• To take part in the selection of new pupils, assessing candidates where appropriate.
• To keep effective Faculty records.

LEARNING SUPPORT OVERSIGHT

• Maintain and revise regularly the Learning Support policy for the school. This should include a policy for the identification of students with additional support needs.
• Keep up to date in current developments in learning support, teaching and learning and ensure these are shared appropriately with relevant subject staff.
• Liaise with external agencies with respect to any specific additional support needs issues or developments, and write reports for these agencies as required.
• Ensure that EHCPs are regularly reviewed and revised, in liaison with parents and any external agencies as applicable, and that teaching staff are informed.
• Keep parents and carers informed about their child's progress through regular meetings, annual reviews and writing reports, including the oversight of reports written by staff within Learning Support. Be proactive in terms of communication with parents in order to build partnerships and celebrate successes.
• Ensure the support provided to students is relevant, stimulating and differentiated.
• Ensure student passports, learning support spreadsheets and support offered to subject staff is high quality, and includes all the information required by the School.
• Ensure that pupil progress is monitored and tracked effectively.
• Ensure that students of concern are tested in a timely fashion, and that information shared with all relevant staff.
• Monitor adherence to the agreed strategies by members of the Faculty team.
• Encourage independence within student learning.
• To ensure that the Learning Support area, including entrance halls and corridors, is well presented and creates an aspirational environment for independent and creative learning.
• Ensure targets and dialogue marking are referenced when assisting students within Learning Support.
• Review the SEND register regularly.
• Ensure the correct entry lists for external examinations are provided in a timely fashion to the Examinations Officer
• Ensure that access arrangements for individual students are correct, and are being adhered to by all staff within the School in line with the JCQ Regulations for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments and the IB Access and Inclusion Policy, taking responsibility for applying for exam board approval for special access arrangements.
• Take responsibility for moderating the quality of Learning Support reports written by students and overseen by members of the Learning Support team.
• To work with Prep School staff in managing support for learning transition from Prep School to Senior School, taking overall responsibility for the process.

TRACKING AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE

• Support teachers and learning support staff in the identification of the most effective teaching approaches for pupils with additional support needs.
• Monitor teaching and learning activities to meet the needs of pupils with additional support needs.
• Identify and teach study skills that will develop pupils' ability to work independently.
• Liaise with other schools to ensure continuity of support and learning when students with additional learning needs transfer to Windermere School.
• Set targets for raising achievement among students with additional support needs.
• Collect and interpret specialist assessment data.
• Maintain and enhance systems for identifying, assessing and reviewing additional learning needs.
• Update the Deputy Head on the effectiveness of provision for pupils with additional learning needs.
• Audit the progress of the Learning Support students annually in the light of public examination results and successes and issues from the academic year before in the format provided by the Deputy Head (Academic).
• Lead on the use and analysis of data within the Faculty. Monitor and analyse internal examination and assessment data alongside baseline data for all subject areas within the Faculty on an ongoing basis to ensure that suitable progress is being made by all students, and ensure this information is used to inform teaching and learning within the School.
• Be involved in the creation of sets where required.
• Support interventions within subject areas as required to ensure each student can make good progress.

MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF STAFF

• Encourage all members of staff within Windermere School to recognise and fulfil their statutory responsibilities to pupils with additional learning needs.
• To provide training opportunities for learning support staff and teachers to learn about additional support needs.
• Monitor the quality of teaching and learning and disseminate good practice in learning support needs across the school.
• Ensure that new staff are inducted into the working practices of Learning Support.
• Oversee the work of staff within the team to include lesson observations and regular work reviews.
• Delegate tasks as appropriate to staff within the team.
• To monitor the performance of staff within the team, and take an active role in the appraisal of staff. Ensure that the school's Professional Development / appraisal system operates effectively in the Faculty and provide training and development in response to need. Provide opportunities for sharing good practice, coaching, peer work reviews and peer lesson observations.
• Assist staff within the team with any behaviour management issues that arise, and monitor that rewards and sanctions are used effectively and consistently within the Faculty in adherence with whole school policies.
• Ensure that students are well behaved and stay safe in the Learning Support area.
• Ensure that guidance, feedback and support are provided to staff, and pro-actively address any concerns about staff capability.
• Ensure good relations and levels of morale amongst staff within the team.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards the School when discussing issues within their teams.
• Assist with planning work and cover in the case of staff absence.
• To assist in the selection and appointment of new staff.

CHILD PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES

The post-holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, s/he must report any concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Windermere School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The School operates a No Smoking and Vaping policy within its buildings and grounds.

Windermere School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person