Teacher - Special Educational Needs in Limavady

Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Teacher - Special

REPORTS TO: Principal

Responsibilities

The following professional duties and regulations apply to teachers, including those employed under the Northern Ireland (1987) Regulations and Schedule 3, Regulation 5:

1) 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:

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

2) Exercise of particular duties – (a) A teacher employed as a teacher (other than a principal) shall perform, in accordance with directions reasonably given by the principal, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned. (b) A teacher referred to in 1(b) shall perform, in accordance with directions reasonably given by the board or by the principal of any school in which the teacher may for the time being be required to work, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned.

3) Planning – Planning and preparing courses and lessons; teaching, according to pupils’ educational needs, including setting and marking of work; assessing, recording and reporting on development, progress and attainment.

4) General – (2.1) Promoting the general progress and well-being of pupils; (2.2) Providing advice and guidance to pupils on educational and social matters including information about sources of more expert advice; (2.3) Making records and reports on pupils’ personal and social needs where appropriate; (2.4) Communicating and consulting with parents; (2.5) Communicating and co-operating with persons or bodies outside the school as approved; (2.6) Participating in meetings as described.

5) Assessment/Reporting – Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils where appropriate.

6) Staff Development/Professional Development – (4.1) Participating in staff development and performance review if required; (4.2) (a) Reviewing teaching methods and programmes; (b) Participating in arrangements for further training and professional development; (4.3) Advising and co-operating with the Principal and other teachers on curriculum development, teaching materials, programmes, methods and pastoral arrangements.

7) Discipline/Health and Safety – Maintaining good order and discipline and safeguarding health and safety; participating in school meetings relating to curriculum, administration or pastoral arrangements.

8) Public Examinations – Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in assessments for such examinations, including recording, reporting and supervision during examinations.

9) Review and Development of Management/Administration – (7.1) Contributing to appointment and professional development of other teachers, including induction and assessment; coordinating or managing the work of other teachers; involvement in curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions. (7.2) Administrative tasks, including management or supervision of support staff, ordering and allocation of equipment; attendance at assemblies; registering attendance and supervising pupils.

10) Number of days/Hours of work – 8.1 to 8.1f cover typical terms including annual days, hours, break requirements and exemptions. (8.1) A break policy is noted; (8.2) hours and term definitions; (8.3) weekly teaching limits per school level; (8.4) mid-day supervision and break times; (8.5) year definitions.

11) Staff cover – 9.1-9.2 On occasional cover and the conditions under which cover may be required; this description is a guideline and is subject to change to reflect circumstances, with equal emphasis on safeguarding relations and policy adherence. The post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and comply with equality legislation at all times.

Person Specification

Notes to applicants are integrated below, including essential, additional essential and desirable criteria, assessment methods and expectations for shortlisting and interviews. The Education Authority emphasizes equality of opportunity and adherence to safeguarding requirements.

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; failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. This applies to both essential and desirable criteria where relevant.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless stated 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, using information provided on the application form.
• The Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria at shortlisting in the order listed; you should clearly demonstrate how you meet any desirable criteria on your application form.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and may be further explored during the interview/selection stage. Please make it clear on your application form how and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Qualifications/ Professional Membership – Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland. Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Experience – Minimum of 1 year demonstrable experience of using a range of effective classroom strategies to provide support and challenge children and young people of all abilities, including those with Special Educational Needs; developing positive relationships for learning; working with professionals to meet needs; using specialist equipment and digital media; using Restorative Practice approaches. Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Other – Registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post; Pre-employment Check.

Section 2 – Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

• Knowledge – Knowledge of Northern Ireland Curriculum; safeguarding and child protection; SEND Code of Practice; current teaching strategies for SEN; assessment methods for diagnosing, planning and measuring progress; restorative approaches; IT systems and digital tools.
• Skills / Abilities – Effective teaching and classroom management; inclusive learning environment; initiative; problem-solving; professional development; collaborative work with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community; teamwork and motivation.
• Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos – Evidence of how experience and approach reflect the School’s Values/ethos (see school website).

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied to narrow the candidate pool. Describe how you meet these criteria on your application form.

• Desirable Criteria – Minimum of 2 years’ experience using a range of effective classroom approaches for SEN; experience in coordinating an area of the curriculum; experience with language programmes such as Makaton.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children as regulated activity. If recommended for appointment to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be undertaken by the Education Authority. You will be expected to meet the cost of this certificate. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the 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.