What skills and experience we're looking for
Professional Experience and Skills:
• You must really enjoy working with children and as part of a team and be able to grow strong, positive relationships with everyone within our school community
• Proven track record as an excellent classroom practitioner and school leader across the age and ability range, with a clear understanding of pedagogy for pupils with SLD and PMLD
• An understanding of what best practice looks like for teaching pupils with complex special educational needs and provide support and mentoring for others
• Confidence and skill to plan and deliver professional development for staff (in-house and to external partners, for example to initial teacher training providers or support for colleagues in mainstream
• Experience of leading teams of teachers and supporting staff
• Experience in planning, leading and monitoring areas of whole school improvement
• Experience of creating and sustaining standards of excellence, by setting examples for others across the whole school, in line with school leadership policy and practices
• Proven ability in the implementation of strategies for increasing progress and achievement including the use of evidence to monitor pupil progress
• Working knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice • Carrying out appraisals for teachers and providing targeted support and guidance
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures in educational settings and promoting pupil well being including experience of liaison with partners such as health and social care
• Experience of effective communication with families to facilitate partnerships between school and home, including the chairing of EHCP meetings, therapeutic behaviour support, Child in Need, EPEP meetings etc
• An understanding of the potential health and safety risks within a school environment and wider community and the skills to implement and monitor H&S including risk benefit analysis
• Ability to draft and present policy documents to leaders and governors
• Ability to use technology to facilitate effective communication within our school community (Email, MS Teams, Powerpoint or more creative ways!)
• Commitment to the vision and school improvement plan at Samuel Pepys School
Personal skills and attributes:
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude, shared with pupils and colleagues to build and sustain our great team ethos
• Demonstrable experience of highly effective communication skills, both orally and in writing and as an active listener
• Chairing and facilitation skills
• Demonstrate reliability and professional integrity
• Ability to maintain a professional stance in all situations, ensuring confidentiality and building and sustaining constructive relationships
• Be highly organised and able to plan and prioritise work within timeframes and to meet deadlines
• High levels of resilience and determination
• Calm and organised approach to working under pressure and the ability to inspire confidence in others
• Ability to work with the Head Teacher to motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive working and learning environment
What the school offers its staff
Would you love a role that involves… “asking children what they want,” “knowing about special interests such as Spongebob or gaming” “being kind and caring” “funny” “listening”? (Pupil Voice, February 2025)
Samuel Pepys is a Cambridgeshire area special school for 124 wonderful pupils (increasing to 165) aged 3 to 19 years living in St. Neots and the surrounding area. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan to meet their individual needs. Our pupils inspire and teach us a lot and we are committed to ensuring everyone achieves their full potential through fun, purposeful and engaging learning opportunities. We are proud to work in partnership with families, other professionals and with the dedicated support of Governors. We have a super new build and remodelled purpose-built site.
• Be part of a friendly and outward looking school with wonderful pupils, supportive families and a strong, positive staff team ethos;
• Varied and relevant opportunities for continued professional learning and development; including leadership development opportunities
• Take part in dynamic and collaborative planning and school improvement opportunities with like-minded colleagues;
• Engage in innovative multi-disciplinary working, with on-site therapists and co-produced working with families
• Support and develop the planning and delivery of high-quality learning opportunities with a well designed curriculum, varied learning resources and purpose-built facilities within school and the wider community;
Further details about the role
About the role:
This vacancy arises due to the planned, phased retirement of the current Deputy Head, coupled with our school growing in size to meet the needs of our local community. Staff are well supported, have a varied and effective professional learning offer. We work in partnership with on-site therapists to support the planning and delivery of teaching and learning. If you are an experienced school leader and qualified teacher with relevant experience of leading staff and teaching pupils with special educational needs, across the age and ability range, we would like to hear from you.
How to apply:
Please complete and return the 'Teacher' application form from our website, with an accompanying letter of application by email by Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 9.00am.
Samuel Pepys School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to successful pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS, medical check and references, requested prior to interview. In line with KCSIE guidance and as part of due diligence an online check will take place for shortlisted candidates. If you would like to talk informally about this opportunity, or arrange to visit, please contact Joanne Hardwick, Head Teacher.
Further information can be found on the school website under staff/join our team
Thank you for your interest, we look forward to hearing from you.
Commitment to safeguarding
Samuel Pepys School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to successful pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS, health check and two satisfactory references, requested prior to interview. In line with KCSIE guidance and as part of due diligence an online check will take place for shortlisted. We actively promote equality of opportunity in employment in our school and would be pleased to receive applications from all candidates regardless of age, ethnicity or religion.