Head of English & Literacy
The Abbey School, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DYThis job expired on 2 October 2023
Job start date
3 January 2024
Closing date
2 October 2023 at 11:59pm
Date listed
31 August 2023
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time: Full Time, Permanent
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPS/UPS plus TLR 2B £5,019 and SEN1 allowance (£2,382)
Additional allowances
SEN1 allowance (£2,382)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic and innovative leader of English, with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to achieving high standards within a thriving department. The successful candidate will have a strong academic background, be an excellent classroom practitioner who is capable of inspiring and motivating students and have experience of working with children with special educational needs (please note this does not need to be within a special school setting). They will lead on our whole school approach to reading and oversee the use of phonics across the curriculum alongside our specialist teacher for phonics. They will also work closely with our well-established interventions team and SENDCo. A good knowledge of phonics is therefore desirable – training can be provided if required.
The successful candidate will continue to drive improvement in the department through leading the department’s subject planning and development time to further develop the curriculum and its implementation. They will be a member of the school’s Curriculum Group led by the Deputy Head Teacher and will also be part of the schools extended Senior Leadership Team. This post would therefore suit candidates who are looking to make the move into senior leadership in the future.
We welcome applications from both primary and secondary qualified teachers. We have a great mixture of both within our school - something that greatly enhances our curriculum offer! The majority of our students are working at a KS1 and KS2 level with a small number studying GCSEs in English, Maths and Art.
Working in a special school is extremely rewarding and our students continue to amaze us on a daily basis with their attitudes, achievements and behaviour. We welcome you to come and meet us and see our fantastic students and staff in action prior to placing your application.
What the school offers its staff
- Amazing students who want to learn
- A brand new, state of the art, English classroom
- Excellent IT facilities in a modern school fit for 21st century teaching
- A range of CPD opportunities to support professional development inside and outside the classroom.
- A range of evidence-informed strategies to support teaching and learning inside the classroom.
- A consistent approach to behaviour which ensures learning is not disrupted.
- A welcoming and supportive staff community
- Opportunities to collaborate across a range of mainstream and specialist provision schools within the Weydon MAT.
- External leadership/NPQ opportunities, including supporting masters’ applications and aspiring senior leader’s development programme
- On site car parking
- Westfield Health Cash Plan
https://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual/health-cash-plan
Further details about the role
The Abbey is currently undergoing huge investment as we expand from a 2 to 3 form entry school to support Surrey County Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy.
Once completed, ‘Project 2022’ will provide The Abbey with:
- 15 x general classrooms (nine of these will be brand new)
- A brand-new specialist Computing classroom
- A brand-new Food Technology classroom
- A brand-new specialist Art room
- A brand-new specialist Music/Drama classroom
- A brand-new Design Technology classroom
- Two specialist Science labs (one of these will be brand-new)
In addition, there will be:
- A new, purpose-built Learning Resource Centre (LRC)
- A full size sports hall and two new PE storage areas
- A brand-new multi-use games area (MUGA)
- A brand-new staff room
- A brand-new school office
- A new, fully-furnished waiting area for parents, carers and visitors to the school
- A brand-new conference/meeting room
- 4 additional therapy rooms
- New boys’ and girls’ PE changing rooms
- Five additional offices
- Two new disabled toilets
- A state-of-the-art staff workroom
This is a really exciting time for The Abbey as we watch the transformation of our school allowing us to expand and flourish in our new buildings with their first-class technology.
Over the past 18 months and as part of Project 22 we have completely refurbished our IT network and systems across the school. More than £200,000 has been spent on achieving this. All classrooms are now equipped with state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards, wi-fi and an internet-based phone system. Every student has also been provided with their own Chromebook fully funded by the school to aid their learning which came at no cost to our parents. These are regularly used in lessons.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS, Children’s Barred List and Right to work in the UK checks are required for all posts. further details including relevant policies are available on the school website: https://www.abbey.surrey.sch.uk/1209/key-information/category/42/safeguarding-and-esafety
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Abbey School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- School size
- 145 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- The Abbey School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- recruitment@abbey.surrey.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01252 725059
Located in south Farnham, The Abbey is an outstanding secondary special school with just over 130 students who have learning and additional needs (LAN). About 40% of our students have autism or other social communication difficulties, a quarter have speech and language needs and others have physical challenges or complex health care needs. Expectations for student outcomes are high, but helping them overcome barriers to learning is an equally important part of our role.
The school has been part of the Weydon MAT since 2018. Over the next 2 years The Abbey will be undergoing significant investment as we expand from a 2 to 3 form entry school to support Surrey County Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2020 – 2025.
Our staff are our greatest asset and we are extremely proud of our whole school ethos.
Our 20 teachers and 35 associate staff are highly motivated, mutually supportive and come from all walks of life.
Arranging a visit to The Abbey School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@abbey.surrey.sch.uk.
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