Job Description
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Who we are
We are a small, specialist SEND school, that was set up to provide purposeful learning for students between the ages of 11 and 17 years of age. We offer education in a therapeutic environment for young people who have previously struggled in mainstream provision. CCS Essex is based in a tranquil, rural location in Little Clacton, Essex. We are accommodated in 5 classrooms. This includes a separate therapy room, as well as facilities for cooking lessons. We also have outdoor space, which our young people use for recreation at break times and lunchtimes and for PE lessons.
Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.
The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.
Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.
The Role
We are a small and specialist school and the way in which the Deputy Head Teacher goes about their day will, in many ways, define its outcomes, its successes and its character. As such, Compass Education is looking for a practitioner who shares our vision and can embody our ethos in every decision they make and every conversation they have, be that with students, parents or professionals.
The staffing structure around our family of schools means that the Deputy Head Teacher will be well supported, allowing them to focus on what is really important. The Regional Assistant Directorsand Head Teacher will support decision making and problem solving, admin and compliance teams are available to keep things running smoothly, a dedicated Head of Teaching Learning and Curriculum will help you to drive the quality of education. You will work closely with a team of school leaders in similar settings across the region and the country, alongside a specialist Regional SENCO.
Compass leaders and managers know that our schools do not operate in isolation and they know how important it is to work with professionals from other agencies to influence lasting change.
Managing all of this means that you will have boundless enthusiasm, a commitment to doing the right thing for as long as it takes and the leadership to take your team along for the journey.
There will be a teaching element to this role. The successful candidate will also act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, for which full training will be provided.
The Right Person
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
A proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
An excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communicator.
The ability/willing to teach a subject specialism to GCSE or equivalent vocational level.
A strong desire to work inclusively within an emotionally literate environment, supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Experience of crisis-management/managing challenging behaviours and working with children with SEMH difficulties.
Proven experience of implementing a creative and academically engaging curriculum which meets the needs of individual pupils, whilst maintaining high standards of education
Experience of effective working with hard-to-reach or disengaged families.
Benefits and Rewards
- Staff laptop and mobile phone
- Competitive salary
- Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
- Small class sizes with specialist TA support
- The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
- Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
- Flexible pension
- Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
- Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating-out and takeaways
We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.
Safeguarding
Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services(previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use.
All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.
Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.
Information about the School
Compass Community School Essex is an independent secondary school for boys and girls Y7-Y11 in North Essex. Building relationships with our pupils is key to the therapeutic approach we take here at CCSE. Small pupil numbers, coupled with a high staff ratio, help to create a nurturing environment in which our students can thrive.
Our highly trained and experienced education team work closely with parents, carers, multi-agency professionals, key workers and programme psychologists to holistically support our young people with a wide range of challenging behaviours and experiences. Our curriculum is developmentally sequential, building on prior learning, with high expectations of progress.