LEARNING SUPPORT CENTRE. Head of LSC & SENCo. Full-time from September Information for Applicants

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1 LEARNING SUPPORT CENTRE Head of LSC & SENCo Full-time from September 2018 Information for Applicants

2 Millfield is one of the largest co-educational boarding school in the UK with over 1250 pupils, aged The pupil body is comprised of 75% full boarders and 25% day pupils. Located in Street in Somerset, the school is set in 240 acres of beautiful campus with outstanding facilities including an Olympic sized pool, two gymnasiums, a golf course, equestrian centre, concert hall, theatre, art gallery and music centre. The Prep School, for ages 2-13, is located four miles away at Glastonbury. The school has in its history achieved significant growth. Established in 1935 by Jack Boss Meyer with six princes from India, today it is an international, multi-faith school welcoming young people from all backgrounds and over 70 nationalities. Millfield may be one of the bigger independent schools, but its ethos remains to discover and develop the potential of every pupil. The school has been structured to make sure it is friendly, approachable and focused on the unique needs of each individual. Millfield provides a broad and balanced education which not only prepares pupils for public examinations but also gives them the confidence to achieve success throughout their adult lives. The school offers an exceptionally wide range of courses whilst still allowing pupils programmes to be tailored to individual needs. Innovation remains at the heart of the school with a commitment to continually refine how to offer an exceptional and fully rounded education. Recent examples of this include the launch of Nine at Millfield, a dynamic Year 9 programme, and the use of pupil ipads to promote digital learning Information for Applicants 2

3 THE ROLE Millfield has a long established reputation for providing support for pupils with a variety of requirements and continues to provide a first class education to pupils with a wide range of academic abilities and learning needs. This is an opportunity to lead a key department during an exciting period of development. The successful candidate will have a real passion for inclusive education and a desire to remove the barriers to learning that can prevent pupils from reaching their potential. They will inspire and lead the Learning Support Centre team to develop and deliver the support necessary for all pupils to succeed. This is significant role in a large school and the post holder will need to manage effectively, drawing the best from all members of their team and working with them to develop their individual skills; influencing and effecting change in the professional practice of all teachers at Millfield will be central to ensuring that the support available to all pupils is coherent and consistent. Our philosophy is to develop the skills that pupils need to become independent learners, and hence support them to be prepared for lessons, for external exams and for whatever life has in store for them after Millfield. The person in this role will make full use of the excellent members of staff, superb facilities and cutting edge technology available to meet this aim. This role comes with a significantly reduced timetable and exemption from some of the duties expected from other staff within the school. The exact details of the role and its responsibilities will be confirmed with the successful candidate with the overall aim being to ensure that the post-holder has the time and resources needed to carry out this vital wholeschool role effectively. The LSC is supported by a strong and experienced administrative team. We are seeking a qualified and experienced person to take responsibility for the leadership and further development of this essential area within the school. The successful candidate will: Be an excellent communicator with strong administrative and IT skills; Have experience managing a team; Have experience of administering and interpreting a range of standardised assessments; Ideally hold a post-graduate SpLD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent), or be working towards this; Possess the drive and energy to operate as both Head of the Learning Support Centre and the SENCo, with whole school responsibility for SEND. Information for Applicants 3

4 The key responsibilities of the Head of the Learning Support Centre and SENCo follow, although there is inevitably operational overlap across the separately identified areas of responsibility. As a Head of Department (HOD), the postholder will be responsible to the Headmaster, through the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) for the vision, policy and culture of the Learning Support Centre and for establishing these within the larger framework of the School. HODs have responsibility for the personal and professional welfare of their staff, for the efficient organisation of the department and for the quality of educational experience offered to the pupils. The Learning Support Centre is responsible for the delivery of the Study Support programme: The Millfield curriculum offers pupils with identified needs additional, dedicated Study Support and the Head of the LSC is responsible for managing and directing the Study Support programme. Depending on the level of support needed, Study Support lessons can either be included as part of a pupil s timetable or the pupil can attend Study Support lessons which are scheduled outside the standard curriculum (e.g. a lunchtime session). Study Support lessons are delivered by members of the LSC and occasionally subject tutors from across the curriculum. Study Support lessons are designed to meet the needs of pupils who, because of their specific learning difficulties, and often a lack of confidence, are experiencing problems in class and in completing prep independently and in the time set. In brief, the Study Support programme aims to provide pupils with: Extra opportunities for the development of literacy skills; Help and guidance with study skills; Help with organisation and the management of tasks; A learning mentor to guide and encourage them and take a personal interest in their progress; Additional support and explanation in the course of their work across the curriculum. Information for Applicants 4

5 In addition, the detailed job specification for a Head of Department at Millfield School is as follows: DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Responsible for: Specifications, schemes of work, departmental handbook, evaluation of external examination results, departmental self-review and target setting Departmental timetable and examination invigilation Management of departmental budget and ordering or resources Health and Safety in the department Teaching Staff appointment (with Deputy Head (Academic) and Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning)), induction and training appointment of staff to formal positions of responsibility within the department (with Headmaster) delegation of departmental responsibilities career development - staff development Interviews - INSET and other forms of professional development - encouragement of staff to take departmental, school or external posts of responsibility maintenance of academic standards through regular monitoring of classroom teaching and pupil assessment monitor overall staff loading weekly and other departmental meetings report and ensure cover for staff absence monitor and advise on subject report writing Technical/Support Staff (where appropriate) appointment (with Personnel Manager) organisation and direction monitor, support and encourage Pupils maintenance of high (academic) standards ensure appropriate setting ensure access to differentiated materials discipline in the department and departmental sanctions advice on your subject at Millfield and in Higher Education assessment record keeping recommendation for academic prizes monitoring progress of and target setting for individual pupils encouragement of out of classroom activities EXTERNAL Millfield Prep School liaison University liaison Professional bodies HMC Canford Group, subject conferences, LEA schools Examination Boards Advice and information for parents INTERNAL Work with other senior staff as necessary: - Other Heads of Department in areas of overlap and common interest - Deputy Head (Academic) and Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) curriculum, resources, development, teaching and learning issues, staff welfare and INSET - Curriculum Co-ordinator examinations and timetable - Heads of Year and Houseparents pupil welfare - Senior Tutors pupils academic progress and programme - Estates Manager Health & Safety and maintenance of buildings Contribute as requested to working parties established from time to time to examine and recommend on specific issues. Information for Applicants 5

6 Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) As the school SENCo with responsibility for special educational needs, the post-holder will have the following whole school responsibilities: TEACHING AND LEARNING To advise on the most effective teaching strategies for pupils with Additional Educational Needs (AEN). To advise on the development of study skills that will assist pupils' to work independently. To monitor and advise on the implementation and quality of teaching and learning strategies for pupils with AEN. To monitor and advise on the type and range of teaching and learning resources being utilised to meet the needs of pupils with AEN. To co-ordinate and have an overview of AEN pupils SEND provision through close liaison with all relevant parties (pupils, staff, parents, external agencies etc). IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING PUPIL PROGRESS To assist the Tutor for Admissions with the interview and assessment of prospective pupils who may have AEN. To maintain and develop processes for literacy screening of all pupils new to the school, and Year 11 pupils returning to the Sixth Form, to identify those with AEN. To respond to concerns expressed by tutors, parents or pupils themselves and provide a process of assessment and identification for individual pupils who seem to be experiencing difficulties. To maintain and develop processes to collect and interpret assessment data to monitor the attainment and progress of pupils with AEN. To set targets for raising attainment among pupils with AEN (including IEPs, where appropriate). COMMUNICATION To liaise with tutors to identify pupils with AEN. To liaise with parents of pupils with AEN. To liaise with Millfield Prep School (and other feeder schools) to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils with AEN. To liaise with private and public sector Educational Psychologists and other external professionals. To liaise with and assist the Tutor for Admissions. To liaise with Senior and Middle Management teams. EXAM ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS To ensure, with the help of an administrator, that all necessary information is provided to pupils, their parents and the Examinations Officer concerning applications to JCQ for pupils who meet the criteria for exam access arrangements. To ensure that all applications for exam access arrangements comply with JCQ regulations. To complete any necessary standardised assessments in order to provide evidence for applications to JCQ. To ensure all approved exam access arrangements are put into place, with the help of an administrator, for both internal and external examinations. To recruit external invigilators to act as readers/ scribes and provide the necessary training LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT To work with due regard to the SEND code of practice: 2014 and The Equality Act 2010 (and advise Senior Management accordingly). To have oversight of the School s Additional Educational Needs policy (and advise Senior Management accordingly). To disseminate good practice in AEN across the school and encourage all members of staff to recognise and fulfil their responsibilities to pupils with AEN. To update and advise Senior Management on the effectiveness of provision for pupils with AEN. To contribute to the Millfield staff development programme through the provision of INSET opportunities concerning AEN issues. To manage the necessary procedures and paperwork for pupils with EHC Plans. To provide such information as may be required by HM services for SEN administration (CEAS). Information for Applicants 6

7 BENEFITS OF SERVICE Millfield School has high expectations of its staff and therefore looks to reward them with generous salary scale increments and beneficial conditions of service. All teachers are offered membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme and have longer holidays than the maintained sector. Class sizes are small (typical class sizes of 8-14) and most teachers have their own classroom. All teachers are issued with an ipad as part of our mobile learning project (there is a strong focus on the use of technology to support teaching and learning). A wide range of opportunities for professional development exist and staff are encouraged to develop their skills and consider career options at all levels. There is ample opportunity to take on additional responsibilities for which there are allowances. Fee concessions are available across the pre-prep, prep and senior school. Millfield is set in beautiful grounds and staff are welcome to make use of the extensive leisure and sporting facilities (which includes gym, swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts, squash courts etc.) for themselves and their immediate family. All staff enjoy free on-site parking. Heavily subsidised lunches (of outstanding quality) and free refreshments are available throughout the day. Each member of the teaching staff has a voice on professional matters via the Common Room Chair. The ability to join a strong community through a number of social events (Staff Bar, Staff sports leagues etc.) is encouraged. Millfield is a dynamic and incredibly rewarding place to work with a strong sense of community. Information for Applicants 7

8 General Information Millfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance. Staff are normally expected to find their own accommodation. Millfield School has adopted the schoolwide use of mobile technologies in teaching and learning, and applicants are expected to develop their own skills and teaching to make appropriate use of such opportunities. Selection Process Please complete an application form via our website by clicking here. You will be asked to upload your CV and include a covering letter together with a declaration form. Short-listed candidates will be invited to the school and the selection process will involve a lesson observation and several interviews. Requests for further information about this post should be directed to Dr Ceri Fiddes, Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning). She can be contacted on or ccf@millfieldschool.com. Click here for Millfield Visual Tour videos Information for Applicants 8

9 Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD Tel: millfieldschool.com