Speech & Language Lead in Newport

Hours: 23 hours per week (3 days, Monday – Wednesday) Term‑time only, 38 weeks

Salary Scale: Hay Grade 8 – £16,605 – £18,144 per annum (actual)

Purpose of Role:

To lead on speech, language and communication across the school, ensuring that all pupils can access learning and participate fully through a Total Communication Approach.

The Speech and Language Lead will develop, implement and evaluate high-quality communication provision, working collaboratively with staff, families and external professionals to improve outcomes for pupils with a diverse range of communication needs.

You will champion a culture where every pupil has an effective means of communication and where communication is embedded within teaching, learning and wider school life.

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the school’s communication strategy.
• Establish and promote a consistent Total Communication Approach across all key stages and departments.
• Ensure communication provision aligns with the school’s vision and values, curriculum, EHCP outcomes and improvement priorities.
• Monitor the quality and impact of communication provision, identifying areas for development and implementing improvement actions.
• Maintain oversight of communication interventions and support programmes as recommended by the Speech and language Therapist.

Communication Provision:

• Lead the implementation of a range of communication approaches, including:
  • AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
  • BSL and signing systems
  • Communication boards and books
  • Symbols and visual supports
  • Objects of reference
  • Intensive interaction
  • Speech and language programmes
  • Communication technology and assistive devices
• Ensure communication systems are accessible, consistent and embedded throughout the school environment.
• Oversee the development of communication-friendly classrooms and learning environments.

Teaching and Learning:

• Support teachers and support staff to effectively meet pupils’ speech, language and communication needs.
• Ensure communication strategies are embedded across the school.
• Work alongside teachers to ensure communication development is incorporated into planning, teaching and assessment.

Staff Development:

• Deliver training, coaching and professional development to staff on communication strategies and interventions.
• Build staff confidence in using Total Communication approaches effectively.
• Develop communication champions across the school to promote best practice.
• Monitor implementation through learning walks, observations and coaching.

Assessment and Intervention:

• Lead communication assessment processes and systems across the school.
• Analyse communication baseline and progress data to inform provision and intervention.
• Support staff in setting meaningful communication targets linked to EHCP outcomes.
• Evaluate the impact of interventions and make recommendations for future provision.

Partnership Working:

• Work closely with Speech and Language Therapists and other multidisciplinary professionals.
• Develop strong partnerships with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Support families to use communication strategies consistently at home.
• Contribute to annual reviews and transition planning.

Monitoring, Quality Assurance and Reporting:

• Monitor the quality and consistency of communication provision across the school.
• Provide reports to senior leaders and governors regarding the effectiveness and impact of communication provision.
• Contribute to school self-evaluation and improvement planning.

About you

• Experience of working with students who have High Needs/SEND in a specialist area, such as SEMH, Medical, Autism, and complex challenging behaviour.
• Be able to demonstrate a high level of personal resilience.
• A positive working attitude towards and acknowledging that challenging behaviour is a communication.
• A positive ethos to support complex learners to communicate in a positive way.
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation in relation to SEND/complex learners.

About Us

In the community of St George’s School everyone is considered as an individual and is valued equally. Everyone is made to feel welcome and has a voice.

Our school is a safe place to achieve, have fun and to develop skills towards individual, informed paths as we leave school and move forward in life. We learn to make choices for now and the future and to become as independent and self-sufficient as possible taking our place in society as part of Modern Britain.

We do our personal best and celebrate our achievements however large or small. As a team we experience the world and work towards achieving our goals and dreams and being the best we can be.

Generic quality statement: The Isle of Wight Council expects that its staff will adhere to its policies and procedures. All members of staff are expected to be familiar with procedures and undertake appropriate activities to support their learning and development.

Safeguarding – The Isle of Wight Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and operates stringent safer recruitment practices.

Diversity and Equality – All employees are expected to treat others with dignity and respect.

Health and Safety – The Isle of Wight Council has a duty to protect employees and all employees have a duty to protect themselves and others from harm as far as is reasonably practicable.

Data Protection and ICT Security – All employees are required to ensure that any information or data collected or input in to a Council system complies with the standards set out and any associated processes that are specific to an area of work.

This job description is correct as at the date given above. In consultation with the postholder it is liable to variation by management to reflect or anticipate changes to the job. As a term of employment the postholder may be required to undertake other duties in this post or, following consultation, any other post in any of the Isle of Wight Council’s Directorates.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all our staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for the successful applicant.

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