Information Pack SEN Teacher Secondary Phase

Information Pack SEN Teacher Secondary Phase

Dear applicant, Thank you for your interest in a role at Reach Academy Feltham. I hope you find this information pack a useful introduction to our outstanding school. Reach Academy Feltham is a new all-through school in Hounslow, a short train ride from Clapham Junction and London Waterloo. The school was started by Teach First Ambassadors and moved to a brand new purpose-built building in September 2014. Our mission is for all pupils to leave Reach Academy Feltham able to lead lives of choice and opportunity. We place English and maths at the core of our curriculum and empower families to support and learn with their child. Above all else, we share the belief that our young people are capable of greatness. As a teacher at Reach Academy Feltham you will work hard, have fun and feel challenged and valued every day. Pupils behave exceptionally well because they are taught well and relationships are strong. Our pupils are energetic, respectful and curious about the world. Parents are supportive and recognize that we are a team around their child. 100% of our parents surveyed in December said they would recommend the school to a friend. We aim for the highest academic standards for all our pupils and believe that all children are capable of excellence. We have designed our curriculum backwards from an A* grade at A level in order to ensure that all pupils are on a track to success. Already our pupils progress is well ahead of national expectations. In addition to a rigorous academic experience, the pupils at Reach Academy Feltham will lead lives enriched with experiences and opportunities. This is a unique opportunity to join a community of staff building a transformative school. The successful candidate will have the relevant experience for the post, the drive and enthusiasm to help get students, staff and parents involved with their work and the flexibility to fit within a small team. Central to Reach Academy s values is establishing an academy of outstanding teachers who are committed, skilled and passionate about their work and have an absolute belief that all children can and will achieve. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 9th November 2015 For further information about the academy, please visit our website. If you have any queries or to discuss the role please contact Principal Ed Vainker on 07445 408 477 / recruitment@reachacademy.org.uk. We wish you the best with your application and look forward to meeting you. Yours sincerely, Ed Vainker, Principal, Reach Academy Feltham Work at Reach Academy Serve a high-need community Receive exceptional international CPD Be paid above inner London mainscale Use excellent London transport links Receive term-time holiday Work hard alongside committed colleagues Receive up to 3000 performance-related bonus Enjoy excellent scope for career progression Be part of a supportive team with a dedicated coach Have a voice within the school Excited? We are...

The leadership team have secured a harmonious environment in which pupils learn and thrive. Quote / inspira on Ofsted, 2014

The Teach First Ambassador I joined Reach as a maths teacher in January 2013, just a few months after it had opened. Although I started teaching with Teach First in 2009 and very much enjoyed my two years on the programme, I took a break from the profession and had not intended to return. I felt frustrated by the limited expectations of the pupils and the endless C grade conversation. After spending just one day visiting Reach, it was abundantly clear that expectations were anything but low. Ultimately, it was the staff s commitment to excellence for their pupils, and the buy-in they had succeeded in gaining from the 11 year olds in the room that drew me back in. Since joining I ve had the privilege of moving through the school with that first group of pupils, and as they have grown, so have I. Opportunities to take on pastoral responsibilities and later whole school data responsibilities have now led me to an Assistant Head position with responsibility for Progress and Assessment; a position where I can hopefully put all talk of the C grade to rest once and for all. The career changer I joined Reach in 2012 as a founding teacher, having previous worked for three years as an aeronautical engineer. I joined Reach Academy because I heard about an exciting new project to provide a life of opportunity and success for children in Feltham. The senior leadership team had a clear, ambitious and uncompromising vision of a world-class standard of education that Reach would provide for any child in the local area. I joined as a NQT straight from a PGCE qualification undertaken at King s College London and completed my first year as a science teacher. I am now in my third year at the school and am currently Head of Physics. A focus on continuous and structured professional development at Reach Academy has led to significant improvements in the quality of my teaching. It is a unique and invigorating experience to be a science teacher a brand new building with brilliant colleagues and top-class facilities. I am looking forward to the prospect of delivering exciting and challenging GCSE and A level science curriculums. The School Direct trainee I joined Reach Academy as a Tutor Fellow in 2013 having graduated from the University of Southampton. I supported pupils in Maths and Science and it confirmed that I wanted to become a teacher. As soon as I heard about Reach Academy I knew I wanted to be a part of the team that was going to prove that a child's socio-economic background does not have to limit their academic successes and life prospects. I am now training to teach at Reach as part of the Schools Direct programme. I knew from very early last year that I wanted to stay and train at Reach as I felt aligned with the school s mission. I have enjoyed building strong and lasting relationships with our pupils. I love the fact that we are a small school and believe that these strong relationships enable staff to have a huge impact on the pupils. In the coming years I look forward to the age gap between our primary and secondary pupils closing; I would love to be able to teach a cohort of pupils who have been at Reach since the age of 4 - it will be an exciting challenge! The Teach First par cipant I joined Reach Academy through the Teach First programme in 2013. Before then, I had been working in the charity sector for 10 years The desire to have a direct impact on young people's lives encouraged me to make the move to teaching. I am now in my NQT year and am a form tutor with shared Head of Year responsibilities. I have received excellent coaching, which has not only helped me to become an outstanding teacher, but has also enabled me to develop the skills needed to take on a pastoral role. I appreciate the sense of community that Reach has. Pupils and staff are always working together and every day brings something new. It is the people at Reach that have made working here such an amazing experience. Every member of staff works tirelessly to support pupils in building happy and successful lives. We all encourage one another and I am grateful for the support I get from my colleagues every day.

The flexible worker I joined Reach Academy in July 2012 and was part of the founding team. During the first year I worked part-time (two days per week), supporting and advising on the development of our Primary team and teaching our Reception cohort. Prior to joining Reach, I spent eleven years working at a large Primary School in Wandsworth, where I gained a wealth of experience teaching across both Key Stages 1 and 2, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and a Leading Mathematics teacher. Whilst on maternity leave with my second child, I heard about Reach Academy from a colleague at my previous school. A year later, I increased my working days to three per week. I led the development of the new mathematics curriculum, developed our P.E curriculum and was the planning lead for our new Nursery which opened in November 2015. Now in my third year at Reach, I have taken over as our Primary Inclusion Lead, a new challenge which I am really enjoying. I can honestly say I have never worked with such an enthusiastic and motivated team of people. Everyone is prepared to go that extra mile to ensure every one of our pupils gets the very best. The Teach First Primary Ambassador I studied Law with German Law at University College London. I have also completed a masters degree at the Institute of Education. Having completed my undergraduate degree I became one of ten pioneer Teach First primary participants, and began work at Laurel Lane Primary School, Hillingdon. I joined Reach in July 2012 because I believe in its vision - that all children should have the skills and knowledge to live a life of choice and opportunity. I was also excited about working with innovative leaders and thinkers. I have not been disappointed. Initially, I lead the development of Early Years, now I am an Assistant Headteacher in the Primary phase. I love the rich experience of working with colleagues from primary and secondary in the knowledge that we are doing everything in our power to provide our children with the very best education. The secondary to primary transfer I joined Reach Academy a Year 1 class teacher in 2013. Previously I had been working for Teach for India, training teachers, and came back to the classroom to develop my own practice. I had begun my career as a Secondary Music teacher but transitioned from Secondary to Primary at Reach Academy because I believed that I could have a greater impact working with younger children. I visited Reach several times before joining the school and felt deeply connected to their vision. Since joining, I ve had many opportunities to develop as a teacher and I am now Head of Year 1. There are many things I love about my job: my enthusiastic and driven colleagues, the freedom to try new approaches in my year group and, of course, our new building! But ultimately, what gets me out of bed every day is our wholehearted, collective commitment to putting our pupils on a path to a life of opportunity and choice. The NQT My interest in teaching as a career was sparked whilst studying for a degree in Childhood Studies at University of Bristol, where I spent time working with groups of school children with a variety of educational needs. After graduating, I went on to do a PGCE at the University of Cambridge and whilst looking for my first job as an NQT, I was put in touch with Reach Academy. The school leader s description of the approach and values of Reach Academy was very exciting and I was persuaded right away to apply for the position of Reception teacher. All my expectations have been realised: I work in a positive, ambitious culture, in a school which is deeply rooted in its community; I am treated as a valued member of staff and offered continual support via weekly CPD sessions and one-to-one coaching; and I see many opportunities ahead as the school expands.

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Every pupil works towards top grades and the opportunity to succeed at a top university. To make this goal tangible we offer pupils regular opportunities to visit Universities. Our school is small, with only 60 pupils in each year, ensuring strong personal relationships and enabling staff to meet the needs of every pupil. Our school teaches pupils from Nursery all the way through to Year 13. We are able to plan for every pupils progress through the school and ensure that they are able to excel. Our committed teachers do their utmost to ensure that pupils realise their potential. They work closely with parents to ensure that everyone is working together to support pupils to succeed. Aspira onal Small All-through We set clear expectations of all, build strong relationships and have excellent systems and structures to promote learning. Teaching Expecta ons What makes Reach Academy special?

The academy has a calm and purposeful environment combined with a sense of excitement generated by pupils enjoying their learning. Ofsted, 2014

4-court Sports Hall and rooftop AstroTurf Art studio and music spaces Brand new purpose-built High quality science labs Communal heart spaces 6th form roof terrace Spacious classrooms facilities Age-specific phases Drama and dance studio

Pupils receive an outstanding education at Reach Academy Feltham. This includes their personal and social development as well as their academic achievement. Ofsted, 2014

JOB DESCRIPTION SEN Teacher Secondary Phase Reports to: Inclusion Team Start date: January 2015 Salary: Reach MPS (above inner London weighting) Contract type: Full-time Contract term: Permanent The Role We are seeking an SEN teacher to teach in the Secondary section of the school, and support our most vulnerable pupils to make dramatic progress in their first years in the school. The successful candidate will be an inspirational teacher with a proven track record of building strong relationships with pupils and supporting those with complex needs to make accelerated progress. They will share the school s vision and the belief that all young people can achieve at high levels. There will be significant career progression available for the successful candidate. Key responsibilities Other Ensure that targeted pupils in the Secondary section are making appropriate progress and are able to access learning across the curriculum; Oversee the pastoral care of these pupils; Collaborate closely with parents to ensure that they are aware of their children s progress, engaged in their development and supporting them in their vision for the future; Co-operate with other teachers to ensure all students are accessing the curriculum and able to make maximum progress; Create a purposeful learning environment; Support the Academy Leadership Team to set vision and direction for the Secondary section in line with Academy vision; Set a vision and targets for pupil success; Track progress, regularly monitor reports on progress, identify and deliver interventions where appropriate; Align and uphold the Academy vision, standards of behavior, discipline and exclusion policy; Collaboratively plan and execute extracurricular activities including residential visits; and Deal effectively and sensitively with child protection issues. Undertake other various responsibilities as directed by the Academy Leadership Team; and Undertake the main professional duties of a teacher as set out in the Reach Academy pay and conditions of service document.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications Qualified to degree level and above; Problem solving Develop plans with innovative and effective solutions; and Evaluate results and identify necessary actions independently and in groups. Innovation Qualified to teach and work in the UK. A willingness to learn from mistakes and be deeply reflective; and Experience Experience of working with young people; and Evidence of continually improving the outcomes of pupils. SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES We are looking for evidence of these skills and attributes and / or clear, demonstrable capacity to develop them. Alignment with Reach Academy s vision Relentless drive to do whatever it takes to ensure all students succeed; and The courage and conviction to make a difference. Communication skills The ability to listen and communicate effectively; Empathy and the ability to understand the needs, aspirations and motivation of diverse individuals; and The ability to influence and motivate others. Innovation A willingness to learn from mistakes; Ability to give and receive honest feedback; and Constant deep reflection which leads to personal growth. Ability to give and receive honest feedback. Resilience Sustain energy, optimism and motivation in the face of pressure and setbacks; Support a team and be aware of others resilience in different situations; Be adaptable in the face of adversity. Results and learning orientation Awareness of own strengths and limits; and Resourcefulness, flexibility and focus on delivering outcomes. Leadership Ability to train less experienced staff and ability to inspire others; and Willingness to devolve leadership and evidence of ability to plan strategically. Teaching and Learning Other Excellent track record as a classroom teacher; Deep understanding of the ways in which children acquire and retain knowledge and skills; Flexibility around subject specific teaching; This post is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

Safer recruitment process Reach Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. In order to meet this responsibility all candidates will be subjected to a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. This process is outlined below. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if further detail is required. Disclosure This post is classified as having substantial access to children, and appointment is subject to an enhanced police check of previous criminal convictions (CRB). Applicants are required, before appointment, to disclose any conviction, caution or binding over including spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar individuals from employment this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. Short listing Short listing will occur after 9th March with interviews taking place in the following 2 week period. Interview Candidates will be subject to an in-depth, in-person interview and assessment, along with a telephone interview in some circumstances. At each stage of the process candidates will be asked to address any discrepancies, anomalies or gaps in their application form or arising from information gained at the previous stage of the recruitment process. Reference checking References from the previous and current employers will be taken up for shortlisted candidates, possibly before interview, and where necessary employers may be contacted to gather further information or address any discrepancies, anomalies or gaps in the reference provided. Probation All new staff will be subject to a probation period (which may, in certain circumstances, be extended by up to 10 weeks). The probation period is a trial period, to enable the assessment of an employee s suitability for the job for which they have been employed. It provides Reach Academy with the opportunity to monitor and review the performance of new staff in relation to various areas, but also in terms of their commitment to safeguarding and relationships with pupils. Equal Opportunities Reach Academy is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and will monitor the recruitment process rigorously to ensure fair access and opportunity for all. If you require assistance in reading this information or in completing the application form, please contact recruitment@reachacademyfeltham.org.uk.