Job Description

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 Directorand 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 Right Person

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
A proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
An excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communicator.
Experience of working with and supporting children with Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities, and an understanding of the paperwork and reporting that runs alongside supporting these students in school.
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.
Experience of adhering to safeguarding practices in school, preferably as a designated safeguarding lead or deputy.

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

Who we areWe 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.

Information about the School

Compass Schools are unique and distinctive environments that are highly effective in supporting children with complex behaviours and needs. Our pupils have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences. We work with pupils to develop self-belief and support children in learning how to be effective learners.

Our Ethos | Compass Schools Our Ethos A passion to include everyone A desire to treat everyone equally An ability to respect difference and diversity To celebrate all achievement A commitment to healthy, open and respectful relationships A deep sense of purpose that things can change and be transformed for the better A sense of perseverance to keep going for as long as it takes An acceptance that failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of success