Post-16 - SEN Teacher
Job Description
Key Responsibilities: BTEC Course Delivery: Lead the teaching of BTEC Level 1 qualifications in subjects such as Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, and Food Technology. Ensure that courses are delivered to a high standard, providing students with practical skills and knowledge for future employment.
Team Leadership (HLTAs / Job Coaches): Manage and support a team of 4 HLTAs/Job Coaches. Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to ensure that they are effectively deployed to assist students with SEN. Ensure that each student receives the necessary support for both academic and vocational skills development.
Work Experience Management: Oversee students' work experience placements, ensuring the opportunities are meaningful and aligned with students' future goals. Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, training providers, and community organisations to create and monitor work experience placements for students.
Independence & Transition Support: Support students in developing key life and employability skills, promoting independence, and preparing them for work placements and employment. Provide tailored support to students to help them transition successfully from education into the workforce.
Individualised Learning Plans: Develop and implement individual learning plans (ILPs) for each student, ensuring that their specific needs are met through differentiated teaching strategies and personalised support.
Use of Alternative Communication Tools: Utilize alternative communication tools such as Proloquo or other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods to support students with communication difficulties. Ensure these tools are integrated effectively into lessons to enhance student engagement and participation.
Sensory Needs Support: Support students with sensory processing difficulties and provide appropriate adaptations to the learning environment to accommodate sensory needs. Use strategies that promote sensory regulation, ensuring students can engage fully in lessons and activities.
Collaboration with External Stakeholders: Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as local businesses, employers, and community organisations, to secure relevant and meaningful work experience placements for students. Liaise with employers to ensure students receive the necessary support and feedback during placements. Support the external stakeholders with training to support work placements
Assessment & Tracking Progress: Regularly assess and monitor student progress, providing feedback to students, parents, and the senior leadership team. Use data to inform teaching methods and adapt the support provided to students to improve learning outcomes.
Staff Development & Training: Lead regular training sessions and professional development for HLTAs/Job Coaches and external stakeholders, ensuring they are up to date with best practices for supporting students with special educational needs in both classroom settings and work placements.
Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress, assessments, and work experience placements. Report regularly to senior leadership and parents on student achievements, work placements, and individual outcomes.
Skills
Qualifications and Skills: Educational Requirements: A teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, QTS) or equivalent, with specialisation in Special Educational Needs (SEN) essential. A Level 5 or 6 qualification in SEN or vocational education is an advantage.
Experience: + Proven experience teaching BTEC Level 1 qualifications, particularly in vocational subjects such as Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, and Food Technology.
+ Experience working with young adults with special educational needs, including supporting sensory needs and communication difficulties.
+ Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team of HLTAs or Job Coaches, providing guidance, training, and support.
+ Experience in securing and managing work experience placements for students with SEN.
+ Experience using alternative communication tools such as
Proloquo or other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods to support students with communication difficulties.
+ Experience supporting students with sensory processing needs, ensuring that the learning environment is adapted to meet these requirements.
+ Experience upskilling external stakeholders on supporting young adults with special needs in the work place
Skills: + Strong knowledge of SEN teaching methods and strategies for supporting students with additional learning needs.
+ Proficient in delivering BTEC Level 1 curriculum and understanding the assessment processes.
+ Experience and proficiency in using alternative communication tools (e.g., Proloquo) and other AAC technologies to support students’ communication needs.
+ Knowledge of sensory processing difficulties and the ability to implement strategies to support students with sensory needs.
+ Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with students, colleagues, employers, and other stakeholders.
+ Strong organisational skills and the ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
Personal Attributes: + Passionate about supporting young adults with special educational needs and helping them achieve their full potential.
+ Empathetic, patient, and adaptable to the diverse needs of students.
+ Strong leadership abilities, with a focus on motivating and guiding your team of HLTAs.
+ A proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to creating positive learning experiences for students.
GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.
Job Location UAE Company Industry Education Job Role Education Career Level Entry Level - Less than 2 years experience
GEMS METROPOLE SCHOOL - MOTOR CITY
Education Dubai, United Arab Emirates GEMS Metropole School, located in Motor City in Dubai, opened its doors in September 2014 and has continued to flourish and grow in student number and stature. The school is now open to students from FS1 to Year 13 with an all-through school capacity of 4200 students offering the National Curriculum for England. The school has become well-known for their key areas of success, such as a ... strong community approach to education, highly inclusive school support to strong secondary options at Key Stage 4 and academic and vocational choices at Key Stage 5. In addition, the school has well-equipped classrooms, a highly competitive sports department, a farm, digital media rooms, innovation laboratories, dedicated science labs, music, art rooms and libraries. Students from our Foundation Stage classes have access to attractive indoor and outdoor learning areas to explore and investigate, high quality Information Technology provision and Science provision to develop IT and Science-based literacy, and most recently a language hub to support key language skills across school. In the Primary section, with the use of 1:1 technologies, students and teachers use iPads and interactive whiteboards to enhance learning opportunities where appropriate. The Secondary school continues to develop and grow and has seen the LEAD and skills programme blossom supporting students to make informed decisions and develop their learning and leadership skills. A new focus of personalised pathways is supporting students in their preparation for life after school and their journey towards success. In conclusion, GEMS Metropole School is a member of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) with the School Principal as a BSME Country Rep. This
