Teacher Specialist Provision (Social Communication Class)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Teacher – Primary
REPORTS TO: Principal

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER

TEACHERS’ (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987
Schedule 3
Regulation 5
Exercise of general professional duties

• Exercise of general professional duties

A teacher who is not a principal shall carry out the professional duties of a teacher as circumstances may require:

• if he/she is employed as a teacher in a school under the reasonable direction of the principal of that school;
• if he/she is employed by a board on terms under which he is not assigned to any one school, under the reasonable direction of that board and of the principal of any school in which he/she may for the time being be required to work as a teacher.

from time to time, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned to him/her.

• Planning

1.1 Planning and preparing courses and lessons; 1.2 Teaching, according to educational needs, the pupils assigned to him/her, including the setting and marking of work; 1.3 Assessing, recording and reporting on development, progress and attainment of pupils.

• General

2.1 Promoting general progress and well-being of pupils; 2.2 Providing advice and guidance on educational and social matters and future careers; 2.3 Making records and reports on pupils’ personal and social needs; 2.4 Communicating with parents; 2.5 Communicating and co-operating with others outside the school; 2.6 Participating in meetings.

• Assessment/Reporting

Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to pupils.

• Staff Development/Professional Development

4.1 Participating in staff development and performance review; 4.2 Reviewing teaching methods and programmes of work; 4.3 Advising and co-operating with the Principal and other teachers on development of courses, teaching materials and pastoral arrangements.

• Discipline/Health and Safety

5.1 Maintaining good order and discipline and safeguarding health and safety; 5.2 Participating in meetings related to curriculum and administration, including pastoral arrangements.

• Public Examinations

Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and related assessments.

• Management/Administration

7.1 Contributing to appointment and development of other teachers; coordinating or managing work; participating in curriculum development and pastoral functions. 7.2 Administrative tasks related to duties such as supervision and resource management. Attendance and pupil registration responsibilities included.

• Number of days/Hours of work

8.1 Availability for work on 195 days/year; hours and locations to be determined by Principal or Board; annual hours and conditions as specified; mid-day supervision may be required; minimum 30-minute break between 12:00 and 14:00 unless otherwise stated. Definitions of a year and a week are included in the regulations.

• Staff cover

9.1 Supervising and teaching pupils in absence of a teacher, with conditions based on school size and placement; duty to provide cover subject to contractual limitations.

This job description will be reviewed as circumstances change and is a guideline. Other duties of a similar nature may be assigned. The post-holder is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity in line with the Northern Ireland Act (1998).

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application how you meet the required criteria under both essential and desirable criteria. The stage in the process when criteria are measured is outlined in the sections below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria and, if applicable, the desirable criteria.
• The Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only applicants who most strongly meet the criteria.

SECTION 1 – ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are essential criteria which will be measured at shortlisting and may be explored during the interview. Please demonstrate how you meet these criteria on your application form.

• Qualifications/ Professional Membership – Teaching qualification that meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland. Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Experience – Minimum of 1 year’s demonstrable experience of teaching to achieve positive learning outcomes and at least one full term in a specialist provision unit or placement; demonstrable experience and training in using a range of classroom strategies to support children with ASD and/or Social and Communication difficulties; demonstrable experience of using digital media/technology to enhance teaching and learning for these pupils. Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Other – Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post. Pre-Employment Check.

SECTION 2 – ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Additional essential criteria measured during the interview/selection stage include knowledge of:

• Knowledge of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, safeguarding and child protection policy/practice, the SEND Code of Practice, and a range of teaching strategies to meet needs of pupils with ASD/Social and Communication difficulties.
• Knowledge and use of Information Technology systems, digital classroom tools, tablets/mobile technologies to aid learning for these pupils; knowledge of current assessment methods.
• Skills/Abilities/Experience: Effective use of training and classroom management to support pupils; ability to work collaboratively; monitoring pupil progress, target setting and intervention; ability to use initiative and solve problems; ability to motivate self and others.

Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos – Evidence of how your experience and approach reflect the School’s Values/ethos. See the school website for details. Interview.

SECTION 3 – DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria may be used to create a manageable pool of candidates. Demonstrate on your application how you meet these criteria.

• Demonstrable experience of setting up a Specialist Provision Unit within a mainstream primary school.
• Demonstrable experience of teaching pupils for whom English is not their first language.
• Demonstrable experience of teaching children with ASD/SCD within a specialist unit or placement.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines regulated activity. If recommended for appointment to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required. You will be expected to meet the cost of the Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details on payment will be provided at pre-employment stage. Further information is available at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

• To view applicant guidance notes, please click here.
• To learn about benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer