Head of Student Support Services

Head of Student Support Services

The Student Support Services team comprises of Learning Support, English as an Additional Language and School Therapy. The Head of Student Support Services leads this team to ensure that students and their families receive exceptional support throughout their educational journey.

Leadership

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the school's SEND and EAL strategy and policy.
• Work with classroom teachers, the school leadership team, parents and relevant external agencies to develop, implement and monitor individual support/learning plans.
• Provide advice, guidance and professional development to teachers on supporting students in accessing the mainstream curriculum.
• Liaise with external agencies (clinical/educational psychologists, dyslexia therapists, speech therapy, local ISD) to support assessments for students and any subsequent specialist support.
• Lead a team of dedicated professionals working across the whole school to provide support for students.
• Promote excellence, equality, collaboration and high expectations for students.
• Be a passionate champion for inclusion across the school
• Act as an advocate for the school in the wider community.
• Be an active member of the BIS Houston Leaders of Learning team.

• Represent the school’s values in every interaction with students, parents and colleagues.
• Actively and enthusiastically contribute beyond the classroom in the wider context of the school community.
• Be a passionate champion for inclusion across the school
• Act as an advocate for the school in the wider community.
• Be an active member of the BIS Houston Leaders of Learning team.

Teaching and Learning

As Head of Student Support Services, you will support your team by:

• Having a well-developed, extensive knowledge of subject specialism and related pedagogy (including using Technology for Learning).

• Having experience/knowledge of the developmental stages from Early Years through to High school.

• Carrying out observations and in school screening to identify student needs, intervention and monitoring progress.

• Making referrals when necessary and liaise with professionals outside of the school - this could include psychologists, health and social care providers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.

• Having the experience and ability to read and analyse psychological and educational evaluation reports, and determine next steps

• Ensuring that student records, learning plans and language proficiency information are kept up to date and shared with the appropriate teachers.

• Leading on access arrangement applications for GCSE/IGCSE, IB, SAT and ACT. Working with families to ensure that students have the required testing and are aware of their eligibility for accommodations.

• Demonstrating excellent communication skills, developing relationships with students and families.

Key Elements of the Head of Department Role

As Head of Student Support Services, you will:

• Lead the Learning Support, English as an Additional Language Lead and School Therapy Team, with an understanding of varying roles within a large inclusion department.
• Facilitate timetables and lesson times for specialists in school
• Manage an annual budget to ensure that the team has the resources required to support high quality provision.
• Consult with Heads of School and the Admissions Team to assess levels of support required by potential students.
• Work closely with pastoral team to collaborate on student support at a wider level.
• Work with the Finance Team to ensure that EAL invoicing process is transparent and smooth for parents.
• Promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all students.
• Supports team members to deliver effectively and perform highly.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Teaching Qualification B.Ed/PGCE/Teaching Certification etc.
• Relevant specialist qualification (SENCo, SEN, Level 7-Educational Testing and Access Arrangements, Educational Diagnostician Cert.)
• Minimum 2 years leadership experience in a school.
• Strong proficiency with technology.
• Good cross-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills to interact with diverse nationalities and cultures.
• Excellent analytical skills – with the passion and drive to demonstrate and quantify success.
• Excellent time management skills and flexibility in dealing with multi-functional tasks.
• Excellent time management skills and flexibility in dealing with multi-functional tasks.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Life Insurance
• Employee discount

Selection Process

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years. We welcome applications from suitable people from all diverse backgrounds. Please note, we reserve the right to make an appointment sooner with the right candidate and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.