What skills and experience we're looking for
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS or QTLS)
• Evidence of recent professional development
• Additional or advanced qualification in teaching students with additional needs
• SENDCo, NPQML or NPQSL
• Proven high standards of classroom management, teaching and organisational skills
• Ability to provide an exciting and creative learning environment where students’ work and skills are celebrated
• Effective leadership at middle leader (or equivalent) level
• Strong understanding of SEND education and experience of working with ASC students
• Experience of managing and leading a successful staff team
• Proven knowledge and understanding of safeguarding
• Experience of contributing to planning and/or delivery of school or department development plans and an understanding of strategic leadership
• Ability to engage and communicate with parents and other professionals to promote positive partnerships
• Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and inspirational leadership
• Ability to manage change, prioritise conflicting demands, make difficult decisions and negotiate compromise
• Knowledge and experience of using data and assessment to monitor and contribute to successful outcomes, including data analysis
• Experience of supporting the professional development of others
• Experience of leading a whole school departmental area
• Experience of holding staff to account and performance improvement
• Designated Safeguarding Lead training
• Experience of policy development and working with Trustees/Governors
• Experience of supporting SEND parents and families to improve attendance
• Evidence of ensuring accountability and supporting colleagues to improve
• Evidence of using classroom observation to improve outcomes
• Experience of timetabling departmental or whole school
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy and sensitivity in dealing with families, colleagues and other professionals
• A restorative approach to behaviour for learning
• Ability to problem solve, think creatively, innovate and motivate colleagues
• Ability to give and receive feedback in a sensitive and timely manner
• Ability to be well organised, self-motivated and reliable
• Be able to ask for, and receive help and support when needed
• An enthusiasm for involvement with the wider school community
• A commitment to ongoing professional development for self and others
• A commitment to the best outcomes for young people
• Not afraid to challenge to improve outcomes
• Personally demonstrate the school’s vision and values
• Excellent punctuality and reliability
• Demonstrate a commitment to the wider school community, including events and activities
• An understanding of and commitment to Equality and Diversity
• An understanding and commitment to Health and Safety
• A commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all children and the ability to work within the school’s policies and procedures.
• Enhanced DBS check will be required for successful candidate
• The postholder will need to possess a current driving licence, and business insurance
What the school offers its staff
This role comes with full training, induction and a range of benefits:
• Salary paid across 12 equal monthly instalments, and an increase each September (subject to Trustee approval and the finances of the school).
• Mental health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do - our staff say they feel supported by the Senior Leadership Team and our Mental Health First Aider Team.
• Access to a range of free health care services including, Employee Assistance Programme offering free counselling (general/menopause), physiotherapy, 24/7 GP service, stress coaching, nurse support services, financial wellbeing coaching, surgical assistance programme, free flu vaccinations, and eye tests for VDU users. See here for more information.
• Up to date autism specific training, including person centred approaches, positive behaviour support strategies and understanding communication from our Speech and Language Therapists and our training and Wellbeing Teams.
• Continuous Professional Development including access to coaching, mentoring and supervision, as well as e-learning and online training courses.
Commitment to safeguarding
Lighthouse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All newly appointed staff who have lived or travelled overseas for 12 months or more in the past 10 years will be required to undertake an overseas check as part of our pre-employment checks. Information can be found on the government website at