The Alton School’s resource base is for children with autism and associated learning difficulties. The base currently has 24 places and is organised in three classes. The Assistant Headteacher: Teacher in Charge of the Autism Resource Base will provide strategic and operational leadership of the Base. The postholder will be accountable for the day-to-day leadership, development and performance of the Base and its staff, and will play a key role within the school’s extended leadership team of the school.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate teacher; someone with knowledge and experience of working within a base or specialist setting who can lead, inspire and motivate the team and be an integral part of growing our specialist provision.

This is a teaching role where you will lead a class of up to 8 children, providing exemplar practice and guidance for your committed and experienced team.  You will be supported by the headteacher and the Trust’s director of SEND who both have a wealth of SEND experience.  You will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring high standards of provision and implementing recommendations and advice.

Visits to the school are highly recommended. 

The right candidate will:

• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with a creative approach.
• Have experience of teaching children with ASD and associated learning difficulties across the primary phase.
• Have excellent knowledge of strategies and approaches to support children with special educational needs, including autism.
• Be a highly effective and reflective practitioner who can lead by example, demonstrating and modelling best practice.
• Have a deep understanding of the principles of inclusion and a demonstrable a commitment to inclusive education for all.
• Have an excellent understanding of SEN and autism and the specific strategies necessary to provide students with the best possible learning experiences.
• Be a champion for students with ASD.
• Be enthusiastic and positive.
• Encourage pupils’ motivation, securing positive attitudes to learning and high standards of engagement across the school.
• Have high expectations, vision and motivation to inspire and challenge others.  
• Demonstrate an excellent ability to understand individual student’s needs and plan provision accordingly.
• Possess excellent communication, interpersonal and organisation skills.
• Support the school in the development of provision for pupils with ASD. 
• Monitor, evaluate and review the quality of learning and teaching in accordance with school policy.

We can offer

• Lots of support : from a committed headteacher with a background in supporting pupils with SEND; from our Trust's director of SEND; from the school's mainstream SENCO and from our highly skilled and experienced SEND practitioner. 
• Ring-fenced weekly leadership time, and time to attend Local Authority meetings with other base leads. 
• High quality CPD, within an outward looking Trust committed to continued growth. 
• Wonderful children and families, and supportive governance
• Excellent and extensive school grounds on the edge of Richmond Park. 

Duties and responsibilities

In addition to the general duties of a school teacher as defined in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions you will have the following duties and responsibilities. The successful candidate will be required to exercise their professional skills and judgement to carry out the professional duties set out below in a collaborative manner.

• Teach a class of pupils who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, providing a nurturing classroom environment.
• Lead the resource base, in providing effective education for the pupils.
• Provide teaching strategies that meet the needs of pupils with ASD as well as giving access to a broad and balanced curriculum for those working within the Engagement Model as well as those accessing National Curriculum.
• Collaborate with curriculum leaders in the development and implementation of curricular and cross curricular initiatives.
• Provide programmes of work for pupils closely aligned to individual needs, as outlined individual EHCPs.
• In conjunction other leaders, oversee the organisation of educational visits and curriculum enrichment activities within the Base.
• Maintain an open, collaborative approach with parents/carers, school staff and other multidisciplinary agencies who contribute to the provision for pupils with ASD.
• Contribute to annual reviews of EHCPs.
• Ensure that there are effective systems in place to assess pupils needs which then contribute to subsequent planning, and report progress to the Head of base regularly.
• Support inclusion of Base pupils into mainstream where appropriate.
• Support transition of pupils to secondary and where relevant, other settings.
• Lead a team and ensure there is clear direction and guidance.
• Be an integral part of the extended leadership team ensuring the aims of the trust and school are followed.
• Develop links and liaise with governance, the Q1E Trust, the local authority and the wider school community.
• Actively support the aims and ethos of the school.
• Engage in personal growth journey conversations and attend training and meetings as part of professional development.
• Keep yourself informed of current developments in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Child Protection and Safeguarding duties and responsibilities: 

• Be fully aware of and understand the duties and responsibilities arising from the Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people as this applies to your role within the school.
• Be aware of safeguarding as it applies to students with SEN and autism.
• Ensure that your line manager is made aware and kept fully informed of any concerns which your may have in relation to safeguarding and/or child protection.

·       Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.   

Additional Information

The Alton School is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people. We will only recruit those who share this commitment and, therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job and that all candidates are appropriately screened before appointment. Please ensure that you complete your application fully. Any job offer will remain conditional until satisfactory completion of:      

• References (which will be sought before the interview) 
• Verification of past employment and any gaps in employment
• Enhanced DBS with barred list check
• Overseas criminal record check (if necessary)
• Identity check
• Verification of right to work in the UK
• Evidence of qualifications and professional accreditations applicable to the role
• A satisfactory health check

We encourage early applications and strongly encourage you to visit the school, see the Base in action and meet our friendly team.