SEN School Phase Lead

About the School

Based in the heart of Chester City Centre, Abbey School is an Independent Special School for young people with autism aged 4-19 years whom may have additional learning difficulties and behaviours that challenge.

About the post

We are looking to recruit a Phase Lead to join our dynamic middle management team. If you bring creativity, resilience, and a desire to be part of our exciting journey, we would love to hear from you. In return for your dedication and enthusiasm, we offer excellent professional development opportunities, supportive colleagues, and a welcoming, collaborative environment.

• Full time
• Start Date: January 2025, may consider flexibility for a February start
• Deadline to apply: 9am 11th November 2024
• Interview dates: Tuesday 5th November (AM), Wednesday 6th November, Thursday 7th November (AM)

The interview will consist of a formal panel interview, an in-tray task on the interview date, and a 15-minute class observation (no preparation necessary).

This is a non-class-based leadership and management role.

Key responsibilities of role:

• Contribute to the overall leadership and day-to-day operational management of Abbey School with specific responsibilities identified and agreed with the Deputy Principal. 
• Further the aims of the school and support the SLT in ensuring that the vision and ethos of the school is communicated and upheld. 
• Share with the SLT a responsibility for providing quality assurance in all the school’s activities. 
• Provide the SLT with an overview of major school issues through ranging awareness and contact with staff and pupils. 

Please download our recruitment pack for the full job description and person specification. The ideal candidate will meet the essential criteria listed.

If you believe that you meet the role requirements, and you are interested in applying for this role, we invite you to attend a tour of the school on either Monday 4th November 2024 at 16:00 or Wednesday 6th November 2024 at 16:00. Please contact recruitment@abbeyschool.com or call 01244 960 000 to attend.

Why work for us?

Our staff are our most valuable resource in ensuring that pupils reach their best possible outcomes and as such we prioritise investment in professional development. All staff receive regular training and supervision to ensure that they have the understanding, skills and knowledge to support our pupils effectively. 

We are a supportive learning organisation with a strong commitment to staff development and well-being, and there are are opportunities for professional development and career growth.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Suite of staff benefits including pension scheme
• Technology appropriate for your job
• Comprehensive staff training programme
• Access to WeCare which is a 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, get fit programme and much more.
• Access to MediCash program for wellbeing benefits
• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme 
• The opportunity to shape and improve the life chances of pupils with a disability, and in so doing, extend the prospect of an improved quality of life for family members and others

Please see https://abbeyschool.com/recruitment/ for more information 

How to apply?

If you believe you have the right qualities to join our innovative and remarkable school as a Phase Lead, we invite you to complete a school application form, available to download. Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@abbeyschool.com with a covering letter. Alternatively, application forms with covering letters can be sent by post to Abbey School, 12 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU.

Please be advised that we only accept fully completed application forms.

Additional notes

 The School will complete an online search for all shortlisted candidates. If any incidents or issues have happened that are publicly available online, the school may wish to explore this at interview.

Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Child safer recruitment procedures operate and the post is subject to references and an Enhanced DBS disclosure with barred list checks.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are ‘spent’ unless ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marriage/civil partnerships, religion/belief, or sexual orientation.