Teacher of Support for Learning

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic teacher to join our thriving Support for Learning team. Enthusiasm, energy, flexibility, and patience are also important qualities.

Previous experience working in Learning Support is required. The Senior School Support for Learning Department works with students from P7 to S6 and works closely with the Junior School on P6 transition to Senior School.

Purpose:

To create a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment that enables pupils to succeed in their learning.

The successful candidate should be a qualified Secondary School Teacher able to teach in the range from Primary 7 through to Senior Secondary. A degree in a relevant area is essential, ideally in a subject taught at SQA level at Edinburgh Academy. The role will require competence in supporting English and Maths to at least Nat 5 level.

A proven ability to teach children with Additional Support Needs, and appropriate qualifications relating to ASN are both essential. Carrying out standardised assessments, as part of an establishing needs process, including the dyslexia identification pathway, will be an important part of the role. Therefore, experience of this is required, and knowledge of any other neurodevelopmental assessment pathways is desirable. Ongoing communication with parents and external practitioners will also be part of the role.

Experience of working with a range of neurodivergent learners is important, as is a desire to keep up with developments in this field. A level of competence with ICT is required, such as the use of assistive technology, iPads, and Office 365. The successful candidate will enjoy the reward that comes from working with pupils with learning differences to support them in overcoming their challenges and fulfilling their potential.

The Support for Learning Department operates a whole school policy in their provision for pupils with Additional Support Needs. The Senior Department is housed in four rooms. There is a Head of Department, two full-time and one part-time member of staff, as well as a classroom assistant. The Department is well resourced and includes excellent IT facilities.

This role is available from January 2025 and is offered on a full-time permanent basis. We plan to interview for this role during the week commencing 16 December 2024.

Package Description:

The school prides itself on its warm and welcoming community, inclusive of all staff. Our teaching staff work alongside the operational teams to ensure the smooth running of the school. We value the contribution of all team members.

Through involvement in the co-curricular programme, all those who work with us can bring their passions to work. Developing our talent is important to us. Access to training and professional development is available and encouraged.

Our reward package includes:

• Generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
• Access to onsite gym
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Benefits Programme, including discounted access to health insurance, financial well-being products, cycle to work and electric car schemes as well as discounts to a number of major retailers
• Fee discount
• A three-course lunch is provided during term time

Main Responsibilities:

• To work with colleagues in identifying individual pupils’ support needs
• To screen or assess using standardised assessments as appropriate
• To generate and implement an appropriate additional support plan and associated strategies for each designated pupil
• To use a range of strategies in teaching individuals or small groups within the Support for Learning Department and to support pupils using ICT
• To collaborate with class and subject teachers and work co-operatively with them to offer additional support within class
• To be involved in the process of establishing appropriate assessment arrangements in line with SQA and JCQ guidelines
• To liaise regularly with parents/guardians and keep them fully informed of their child’s progress
• To liaise with the pastoral and medical teams as well as outside agencies where required
• To work effectively as part of a team

Duties and responsibilities associated with all teachers at the Edinburgh Academy are:

• To plan, prepare and teach lessons to all assigned pupils according to their educational needs.
• To assess, record and report on the progress of the pupils within the guidelines written in the Staff Handbook.
• To engage with the wider School Curriculum in a manner which is consistent with the ethos of the School.
• To carry out such administrative and other routine tasks as are outlined in the Staff Handbook.
• To demonstrate a commitment to both individual professional development and to the developing curriculum in the School.
• To carry out any other duties and to assume any other responsibilities as the Rector shall from time-to-time reasonably request.
• To play a full part in the co-curricular life of the School.

Short-listed candidates will be asked to plan and teach a lesson.

Reporting:

The successful applicant will report to the Head of Department on all aspects of classroom management, timetabling, teaching and learning, reporting, and pupil discipline. The successful applicant will report to the Deputy Rectors on matters of whole school commitments, professional development and personal absence.

The Ideal Candidate Qualifications/Experience (E=Essential D=Desirable):

• GTCS registration in a secondary subject with an appropriate degree and relevant teaching qualifications, able to teach from P7 up to Higher level - E
• GTCS registration as an ASN teacher- D
• Excellent organisational and communication skills - E
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as under own initiative- E
• Ability to work collaboratively with teaching and non-teaching colleagues both internal and external to Edinburgh Academy- E
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working closely with parents- E
• Proactive and imaginative in developing new ideas and resources and flexible in adapting to curriculum changes- E
• Commitment to, and fully conversant with, the safeguarding, child protection and pastoral care responsibilities required of all teachers- E
• Experience using standardised screening or assessment tools relating to identification pathways- E
• Qualification in standardised assessment- D
• Qualification(s) in working with Neurodivergent learners/ ASN- E
• Experience of working within an SfL Department and supporting students to at least National 5 level across a range of subjects, particularly English and Maths - D
• Experience using Office 365 and assistive technology- E
• Willingness to get involved in the wider life of the school and participate in the co-curricular programme - D

About the school/organisation:

The Edinburgh Academy is a fully co-educational school. The School consists of a Senior School, Junior School and a Nursery Department. The School is a member of HMC. The Edinburgh Academy moved to full co-education across the whole school in 2008. The Junior and Senior Schools are on separate sites, both of which have spacious grounds and sports facilities including extensive playing fields, an all-weather sports area, and a large Sports Hall and Centre.