Abbey Gate College
Saighton Grange
Saighton
Chester
CH3 6EN
ASSISTANT HEAD OF LEARNING SUPPORT
September
2014
Abbey Gate College
The College
Abbey Gate College is situated in superb surroundings south of the historic city of Chester. It was
founded as an independent co-educational 11-18 School in 1977 under the Deeside House Educational
Trust, as a charitable foundation. Our Junior and Infant Department is sited in the old village school at
Aldford, 2½ miles from the main site at Saighton. The College now numbers 525 pupils, including a
Sixth Form of 89. Academic results in all subjects are excellent and 100% pass rate at A level and
GCSE is the norm. The majority of our Sixth Formers go on to University or other place of further
education. The College has a three form entry at Year 7 from an annual Entrance Examination held in
January; places are oversubscribed and there are waiting lists operating at some age groups in the
College.
The building and facilities are impressive. The main building is the former stately home of the Duke of
Westminster and the College has added its own purpose-built accommodation, including fully equipped
science laboratories, IT rooms and a Sports Hall. An Arts and Media Centre was completed in 2004,
housing Music, a theatre and two IT rooms. Work on the second phase, housing Art and Technology,
was completed in March 2008; a new science laboratory and Sixth Form Centre completed the
development. There was a further extension to the Arts & Media Centre in 2013 and the Governors
are currently pursuing ambitious Strategic Plans for further facilities development at the Senior School.
The Junior and Infant Department is based in the former village school building in Aldford and numbers
120, with one class entry per year group from 4 -11. The school is set in idyllic surroundings with its
own playing fields, playground, ecology pond and log bark area. Recent improvements have included
an atrium reception and Head of Department office, medical room, interactive whiteboards and a large
mezzanine floor area above the hall for small class teaching. Juniors from Years 3-5 enjoy half a day’s
timetable per week at Saighton Grange and J6 spend a full day. Specialist teaching is shared across
both sites and collaboration is frequent.
KEY QUALITIES AND PERSON SPECIFICATION:The person appointed should demonstrate the following skills and qualities:
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Be an innovative, committed and highly effective educational practitioner dedicated to
achieving the best outcome for every individual pupil
Proactively contribute towards the vision for SEND at AGC
Experience within SEND
Ability to establish and develop good relationships
Excellent organisation and time management skills
Ability to raise attainment through motivating and inspiring staff and pupils
Sense of humour
ASSISTANT HEAD OF LEARNING SUPPORT’
Job purpose:
To support the Head of Learning Support with both strategic and operational planning and to ensure
that pupils with SEND achieve the best possible outcomes in line with all other pupils.
Outline of Key Responsibilities:Contribute to strategic planning for SEND within the whole school by:
 Helping to implement the new SEND legislation from September 2014
 Developing and supporting effective practice for SEND pupils to ensure that they make
progress in line with other groups
 Supporting outstanding practice in differentiation and ensuring all staff are equipped to meet
the needs of all pupils
 Assisting with provision mapping and associated personalised learning for pupils with SEND
 Using data effectively to monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment and the impact of
targeted interventions
 Ensuring appropriate interventions are in place for pupils with SEND
 Communicating the work of the Learning Support department through the website, VLE and
other media.
Co-ordinate operational planning for SEND by:
 Assisting and deputising for, the Head of Learning Support, in managing the day to day
operation of the SEND policy, including SEND provision and the effective deployment of staff
and physical resources.
 Supporting the Head of Learning Support in maintaining a system for identifying, monitoring
and reviewing progress of SEND pupils
 Ensuring appropriate special arrangements for exams are in place
 Conducting person centred annual review meetings for statemented pupils, in line with LEA
guidance
 Using the school’s ICT resources to gather and disseminate information about pupils with
SEND
 Utilising pupil, school, local and national data effectively to inform planning for SEND
Work in partnership with teaching and non teaching staff, primary feeder schools, parents and
outside agencies by
 Supporting staff in overcoming barriers to pupil’s learning by providing advice on differentiation
and learning styles
 Disseminating information on SEND pupils to relevant parties
 Attending planning meetings for pupils with SEND
 Collaborating with the Head of Learning Support to prioritise referrals to outside agencies
 Contributing to transition arrangements for pupils with SEND at primary/secondary transfer
Promote staff development in relation to SEND by
 Keeping up to date with research, resources, policy etc. by attending courses, conferences etc.
and disseminating good practice in SEND across the school
 Delivering and supporting the Head of Learning Support in providing College CPD
To maintain and oversee records on all pupils with SEND by
 Assisting in record keeping and filing
 Update the Learning Support List
Teaching responsibilities
 Small group teaching, 1:1 support as required
Salary
The salary for this position will depend upon the qualifications and relevant experience of the successful
candidate
Child Protection
Abbey Gate College regards as paramount the welfare and safety of children. Whilst criminal
convictions are not necessarily a bar, this safety consideration will be key to all decisions regarding the
employment of staff, approval of volunteers and standards of external contractors.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnic
background, nationality, colour, gender, transgender status, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation,
religion or belief. We therefore welcome applications from all segments of the community.
Applications
Candidates should complete an Abbey Gate College application form and submit this together with a
letter explaining their interest in and suitability for the post addressed to Mrs Tracy Pollard,
Headmistress, outlining their suitability for the post.
The closing date for applications is Monday 12 May 2014; interviews scheduled for Tuesday 20 May
2014.
Candidates will meet the Headmistress, Deputy Heads and Head of Learning Support and have a tour
of the College.
References will be taken up prior to interview, please inform your referees.
Please mark the envelope clearly ‘APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANT HEAD OF LEARNING SUPPORT’
Abbey Gate College
Saighton Grange
Saighton
Chester CH3 6EN (please remember to fix the correct amount of postage)
Alternatively you can make your application electronically by email to: sallen@abbeygatecollege.co.uk