St John & St James Primary School Specialist Teacher Application Pack

Specialist Teacher Application Pack

St John & St James Primary School

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Contents

Welcome 3

About Us 4

Working in Partnership 5

Primary Advantage

National Teaching Schools 6

Working in the Community 7

Specialist Teacher Job Description 8

Specialist Teacher Personal Specification 9

Application Process 10

Contact Information 11

St John & St James CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.

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Dear Applicant,

Thank you very much for your interest in becoming a Specialist Teacher at St John & St James CE Primary. We are

one of six primary schools who make up the Primary Advantage Federation. I hope you find the information in this

pack a useful introduction to our school.

St John & St James is a one form entry primary school situated in the heart of Hackney. We are proud to say as a

school we are an exciting and diverse school who are committed to learning and striving to be the best we can be.

We use a cooperative approach to support children from our rich and diverse community to achieve educational

and personal success. We aim to create a safe and secure learning environment in which children are known and

valued and motivated to learn.

We are looking for determined, committed and hardworking teacher who can provide the best support for our

pupils.

For more information about our school and details on how to apply, please read our application pack. We

encourage you to visit our school and our website to learn more about us.

Yours sincerely,

Jenna Clark

Executive Headteacher

WelcomeWelcomeWelcome

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About Us

St John and St James’ is a one form entry Church of England Primary School with a Nursery. The children in our care range

from three to eleven years old. St John and St James’ is one of six schools within the Primary Advantage Federation which is in

turn overseen by Executive Principal Sian Davies. Jenna Clark, our Head teacher, leads teaching and learning in the school and

is supported by a strong Senior Leadership Team. The Senior Team acts as the point of contact for parents, children and staff.

OUR MISSION

Learn together, journey together, pray together

We aim to express and celebrate our mission in every aspect of our school community.

We learn together by creating a safe and secure learning environment in which every child is known and valued and

motivated to learn. We aim to prepare our children for the world by bringing the world into the classroom.

We journey together towards educational excellence, personal and spiritual fulfilment. We use a cooperative approach to

support children from our rich, diverse community.

We pray together and prepare our children for life with a strong set of values to enable them to reflect and make positive

choices with confidence. We respect each other and we treat each other as we would like to be treated

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Working in Partnership

Primary Advantage Federation

St John & St James CE Primary School is a part of the Primary

Advantage Federation.

We are a group of schools working together because we

believe our schools can gain many benefits from working

collaboratively and can achieve more by working together. We

have made a commitment to a shared responsibility to the

wider education community, the provision of good quality

education and the improvement of life chances for pupils in

the community beyond that of our own schools. Teachers,

support staff, school leaders and Governors have added

expertise in working alongside colleagues to improve

provision and outcomes for pupils.

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH?

We work in partnership, pooling our expertise and

resources in order to achieve collectively what we may

not be able to achieve individually.

We believe passionately in improving the life chances

for our pupils.

We do not tolerate low expectations.

We match tried and tested strategies that we know

work to the needs of the schools and use our

experience of supporting schools in successfully

implementing them.

We promote a collaborative approach whilst

developing the capacity of each school to serve its own

community and retain its distinct identity.

We recognise the importance of individuality,

spontaneity and creativity in developing innovation .

WHAT OUTCOMES DO WE WANT?

Every teacher is a good teacher; every school is a good

school.

Teachers who use the most effective teaching methods

to motivate learners and raise aspirations. As a result

all pupils will make good or better progress.

Quality learning environments where pupils feel safe

and secure, known and valued and motivated to learn.

Robust teaching and application of ICT skills ensure our

pupils are properly equipped for the next stage of

learning.

Curriculum provision which inspires and motivates

pupils and broadens their horizons. Our curriculum

supports community cohesion through an international

curriculum strand.

We work with precision and move incrementally

towards achieving outstanding grades in the majority

of aspects of each school’s work.

Through pupil partnership work we continue to break

down locally perceived boundaries and help pupils to

work harmoniously with pupils from other areas of

Hackney.

We seek to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness

of each school by capitalising on centralised services

and sharing systems.

Find out more about Primary Advantage Federation

by visiting

www.primaryadvantage.co.uk

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Primary Advantage National Teaching Schools

Primary Advantage National Teaching Schools

Teaching schools are outstanding schools that work with others to provide high-quality training and

development to new and experienced school staff. They are part of the government’s plan to give schools a

central role in raising standards by developing a self-improving and sustainable school-led system.

St John and St James, Holy Trinity and Springfield are designated teaching schools, working in collaboration

with the other three schools in the federation; St Matthias, Morningside and St John the Baptist. The school

works in partnership with primary schools across the borough and beyond and play a key role within the

Primary Advantage National Teaching Schools Alliance.

Primary Advantage is a federation of schools working together because we believe our schools can gain many

benefits from working collaboratively. We have made a commitment to a shared responsibility to the wider

school community, the provision of good quality education and the improvement of life chances for pupils in

the community beyond that of our own schools. Our work on improving provision for children will continue to

see us working in partnership with schools in Hackney, across London and into the County of Suffolk. We will

be working closely with our strategic partners, The Institute of Education and Hackney Learning Trust, to

effectively deliver Initial Teacher Training (School direct and

PGCE), Continuous Professional Development, talent

management, school to school support, the brokering of

Specialist Leaders of Education and research and

development. Primary Advantage National Teaching School

Alliance will see all schools within the alliance achieving more

together.

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Outcomes & Achievements

WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES

We know that the most successful

education takes place when parents/

carers, staff and governors all work

together. Parents and carers can be

involved with the whole school

community in a variety of ways:

Helping with visits out of class.

Supporting with fund raising events.

Attending curriculum evenings and school open mornings.

WITH ST JOHN-at-HACKNEY

The school enjoys an active

partnership with the local parish

church, St John at Hackney. We

frequently visit the church for

assemblies, services, and celebrate

important Christian festivals such as

Christmas and Easter together.

As a Church of England school, we

have Christian teaching built into our

curriculum and assemblies, and

parents are asked to accept this

when they send their children to St

John and St James’ Primary School.

Local clergy regularly come in to lead

assemblies.

We aim to teach children about the

beliefs and customs of other faiths,

to foster sensitivity and

understanding towards those whose

religion and cultures are different

from their own.

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St John & St James Job Description - Specialist Teacher

Role Summary:

1.1 The current School Teachers’ Pay

and Conditions document describes

duties which are required to be

undertaken by teachers in the course of

their employment. In addition certain

particular duties are reasonably required

to be exercised, and completed in a

satisfactory manner. It is the

contractual duty of the class teacher to

ensure that his/her professional duties

are discharged effectively.

1.2 This job description sets out the

duties to be undertaken and performed

to the satisfaction of the Executive

Principal/Headteacher and governing

body by the class teacher. The duties

set out below relate to the overall class

teaching requirements and related

expectations of a class teacher.

Key Tasks and activities:

To develop and deliver training and

to support schools to build capacity

in meeting the needs of children

and young people with significant

learning difficulties. This might take

the form of whole school, group

and individual specific training to

support children and young people

with Autism and other learning

difficulties.

To attend relevant team meetings

around the child, annual reviews

and other meetings when

appropriate.

To consult and / or work in

partnership and jointly with multi-

disciplinary professionals to ensure

there is a coordinated approach to

schools supporting children, young

people with autism and other

significant learning difficulties and

their families.

To write reports on children who are

referred to the outreach team and

ensure these are shared in a timely

and appropriate manner.

To maintain an accurate caseload at

all times and review this on a regular

basis.

To support mainstream teachers,

teaching assistants and SENCOs to

differentiate the curriculum to meet

the needs of children and young

people with autism and other learning

difficulties by providing specialist

advice and appropriate resources.

To maintain a highly specialised

knowledge base in the field of Autism

and associated health and other

interventions, to be aware of the

research basis for these interventions

and to update this knowledge

regularly. To participate in the

dissemination of evidence-based

practice developments internally and

externally as required.

To keep under review the methods

of planning and delivery of the

curriculum, recording pupils’

progress and make any required

assessments.

To monitor and report the quality

of pupil attainment in all subjects to

the Executive Principal/

Headteacher and governing body.

To assist in the selection of

resources for the curriculum.

Monitor and assess own

performance and take a proactive

approach to professional

development.

Effectively manage pupil behaviour,

encouraging a high standard of

behaviour and mutual respect

between pupils and all members of

the school community.

To promote and facilitate parental

involvement in teaching and

learning through a shared school/

home approach.

To work with support staff and

other teachers in the classroom to

effectively plan for a range of needs

and be supportive of and sensitive

to the needs of other colleagues.

Encourage interaction and

teamwork within the school, share

ideas and new initiatives and

identify new ways of teaching the

curriculum. When required, take a

leading role in an area of school

development.

To advise other staff including

NQTs, and students on teaching

practice, and to assist with inset for

staff and governors when required

to do so.

To work with Hackney LEA on local

and national initiatives for all

subjects of the National Curriculum.

To work across the federated

schools if and when required.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to undertake such duties of a

similar nature as may be reasonably

directed by the Executive Principal/

Headteacher from time to time.

Job Title: Specialist Teacher

(Primary School)

Reports to: Governing Body,

Executive Principal/Headteacher

and Members of Senior

Management team

Direct Reports: Ancillary staff

when based in their classroom

Key Contacts:

Internal: Other Teachers within the

school, Executive Principal,

Executive Headteacher & Head of

school.

External: Church, Local

Community, Parents & Agencies

relevant to duties.

Salary: L1—L5 (45,436.—49,406)

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Requirements

Qualifications

Degree level qualification.

Postgraduate professional Qualification e.g. Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Minimum of 6 years teaching experience.

Experience with significant and mild learning difficulties in a main stream and specialist setting.

Experience of working with outside agencies.

Desirable—QTS (including skills tests)

Communication

Applies effective verbal communication skills.

Presents information and ideas clearly, by using language appropriate to the audience.

Positively influences the opinions of others through factual discussion.

Adapts personal style to suit individual situation and needs.

Creates an environment of trust by delivering on promises.

Utilises report-writing skills to accurately reflect a situation through positive language.

Confident in leading staff meetings as appropriate.

Other Skills Required for Role

Demonstrates excellent classroom practice

Exercises flexibility in order to accommodate changes in work priorities.

Balances tasks and resources in the organisation of a wide range of activities.

Provides contingencies to deal with the unexpected.

Thinks clearly and logically in working through a problem making referrals as appropriate.

Anticipates workload and plans ahead.

Monitors progress against key performance indicators.

Enthusiastic and positive attitude.

Awareness of the needs of children who have a variety of needs.

Understand the nature of a Church of England Primary School and be willing to teach R.E. and attend collective worship to meet the expectation of the Governing Body.

Accountability/Freedom to act

Makes routine decisions based upon guidelines and procedures laid down in the established framework.

Contributes towards the effective delivery of performance targets, objectives and standards.

Leads by example in standards of behaviour in the work environment.

Leadership/Management Skills

Ability to lead school based projects or developments

General Comments

The Classroom Teacher within a Primary school teaches classes of approximately 30 children aged 5 - 11 years. To be successful in this role they must readily adapt to constantly changing curriculum, modifying lesson preparation and delivery accordingly.

St John & St James - Personal Specification

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Application Process

Applicants are asked to complete all the standard information

required on the Primary Advantage application form, and to

submit a supporting statement, addressing all the criteria

identified in the person specification. Please specify the role you

are applying for i.e Specialist Class Teacher. The reference

number for this application is: SP1/15.

Candidates are advised that when completing the references

section on the application form to please ensure that:

• Your first referee must be your current, or most recent,

employer

• You provide a referee who can confirm your ability for the role

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to teach an activity or lesson

and will be advised of the details of the lesson observation prior

to interview.

Candidates must ensure that if they are successful at interview,

that they are able to provide evidence of their Right to Work and

Remain in the UK. The school is not able to employ any person

who cannot validate their Right to Work and Remain in the UK in

the line with the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2000.

Successful candidates will be required to apply for an enhanced

Criminal Record Check via the DBS. We are committed to

safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and

expect all members of staff to share this commitment.

Completed application forms must be received by 9:30am on

Friday 26th June 2015.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 1st July 2015.

If you have any queries or would like to arrange to visit our

schools, please contact Venessa Williams on

0208 985 2045 or email

[email protected].

We look forward to receiving your application.

Completed Application Forms

Successful Candidates

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St John & St James CE Primary School

Isabella Road

London E9 6DX

Tel: 0208 985 2045

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.johnjames.hackney.sch.uk

Where to find us