Teacher - Specialist Provision - Learning KS4 in Newry

REPORTS TO: Principal

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER

• Work closely with the school's Principal/Vice Principal.
• Lead the staff team within the SPIM class.
• Work along with the school's SENCO in the administration and delivery of SPIM class with particular regard to SEND.
• Liaise closely with the staff within the school to ensure inclusion.
• Work closely with appropriate EA Officers and external agencies.
• Liaise closely with the parents of the pupils and participate in meetings with parents.
• Follow the SEN Code of Practice.
• Contribute to and implement the school's Special Educational Needs, Pastoral Care, Curriculum and other policies.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Plan, prepare, teach, assess and record lesson plans.
• Teach children according to their educational needs so that each child is offered an appropriately balanced curriculum.
• Assess and record pupil's work and report on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
• Work within the school's SEN team to develop specialist provision for children with a range of Special Education Needs.

The post of learning support teacher provides an exciting opportunity for the post holder to have a major input into the continued expansion of our SPIM provision. Working closely with the Principal and the SENCO, the learning support teacher will play a vital role in the opening of our Learning Support classroom along with being instrumental in the day-to-day teaching and learning delivery.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.
• Have experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs (teaching practice applicable).
• Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post.

SECTION 2 - ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Knowledge of Northern Ireland Curriculum.
• Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/practice.
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Knowledge of a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils.
• Knowledge of Information Technology systems such as digital classroom tools/media and the use of tablets/mobile technologies.
• Knowledge of current assessment methods to inform teaching.
• Demonstrable knowledge of learning and teaching approaches used to minimise the barriers of learning that young people with special educational needs can face.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of current assessment methods used with young people with special educational needs in order to assist in planning for learning and measuring progress.

Skills / Abilities:

• Effective teaching and classroom management skills to inspire and challenge pupils to raise achievement.
• Proven ability to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community.
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to motivate self and others.

Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos:

• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Have 6 months of experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a SPIMS setting or experience of teaching pupils with Additional needs in a "nurture" or SPIMS setting.
• Have an additional qualification in SEN or have specialised in SEN during qualification.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.