SEND Assistant Head Teacher Secondary Curriculum and Assessment

Job overview

Gesher School is an independent all-through Jewish special school for children and young people aged 4 to 16. It offers all-through education for students with mild to moderate needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Down’s Syndrome. The cohort also includes children who present with a range of genetic conditions, sensory processing needs, social-communication difficulties, and developmental delays.

Gesher students are unique and individual and often learn in a way that is atypical to traditional education methods. They may benefit from being taught differently in regard to their communication and social interaction styles, with the environment being tailored and adapted to their own learning needs. Significant use of structure, routine and laddering helps with this, and students are encouraged to be as independent as possible in all aspects of their education.

Relationships are at the heart of learning at Gesher. We promote healthy behaviour communications by creating a happy, safe and caring school environment where students’ social, emotional and mental health are paramount. One of the core pillars of our approach is that all pupils are respected and well known as individuals. They have a voice in their learning and development, and their choices and ambitions are taken seriously.

Parents and carers are welcomed as active partners in helping to shape and support their children’s growth. We seek to build and secure relationships with each of our students to ensure they thrive in their learning and give them the skills to build their own relationships with each other. Our connections help build our community, giving us a sense of belonging and making each person feel safe and know they are valued. This is not just about students but staff too, and by extension, the wider community.

Message to candidate:

Thank you for your interest in this role and your commitment to supporting the future of our students. As a team we are deeply committed and passionate about creating an exceptional and unique place of learning for our students. Gesher is a richly neurodiverse community where our students’ talents are developed and celebrated. We are a learning community of students, staff, parents and governors who believe in transformative education where learners are encouraged to be innovative and resilient and to grow in confidence as they prepare to navigate the wider world.

You will join a team that works within a multi-disciplinary approach to empower all learners to access the curriculum to their full potential and make good progress in all areas of their development. Each member of the team plays a vital role. Teachers plan multi-sensory lessons to support children’s learning styles in the classroom, emphasising their emotional well-being. Our Therapy team, which includes Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Dramatherapy, Art Therapy, Lego Therapy and an Educational Psychologist, provides ongoing support within the daily routine. Teaching Assistants play a vital role in further assisting learners as they navigate their way through the day. As a team of educators, we believe that this specialised way of empowering young children to learn, be curious and navigate the world around them sets them up for success.

We believe this role is a fantastic opportunity to bring all of your skills and creativity together to meet the outcomes for our young people below:

Young people graduating from Gesher will be:

Skilled for the future workplace

Creative and effective communicators, problem solvers and collaborators.

Qualified for their next stage

With deep knowledge in academic and vocational disciplines.

Independent learners

Skilled at managing their own learning, thinking and emotions.

Confident in their sense of self

Clear about their own direction; knowing their own strengths and needs, and able to advocate for themselves and others.

Builders of meaningful relationships

With healthy relationships friendships and trusted support networks.

Ethical and responsible citizens

Understanding and shaped by Jewish faith, heritage and culture.

Making positive contributions to our community, society and planet.

Please contact our recruitment partner Caroline Olsen at Academicis.

Tamaryn
Headteacher