Job Type: Head of Learning Support
Location: Near Rye
Your new school
This school is an independent school located near Rye. The school is known for its inclusive and nurturing environment, with a strong emphasis on personalised learning, high expectations and aspirational oues for all students. There is a highly collaborative culture across academic, pastoral and therapeutic teams, with a transdisciplinary approach to supporting students. The school places significant value on professional development and evidence‑based practice, ensuring staff are equipped to deliver exceptional oues.
Your new role
As Head of Learning Support, you will provide strategic leadership for the school’s SEND provision, overseeing specialist teaching, therapies, intervention teams, and Teaching Assistants. You will play a key role in ensuring that all students receive high‑quality, tailored support that enables them to thrive academically and personally.
You will lead on provision mapping, ensuring support is effectively planned, delivered and evaluated across the school. You will oversee statutory processes, including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), annual reviews and examination access arrangements, ensuring fullpliance with current regulations and best practice.
Working closely with the Deputy Head (Academic), you will support high‑quality teaching and learning across the school, providing guidance on evidence‑based strategies for supporting students with dyslexia and co‑occurring needs. This will include contributing to CPD, departmental development and whole‑school improvement priorities.
The role also includes line management of a large, multidisciplinary team, including specialist teachers, therapists, intervention staff and teaching assistants. You will ensure a coordinated, transdisciplinary approach, aligning classroom teaching, intervention and therapeutic support.
In addition, you will oversee admissions assessment processes, support student transition, and maintain strong relationships with parents, external professionals and agencies. You will also contribute to the development of external outreach and traded services, including training and advisory work with schools and organisations.
This is a senior leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and develop a highly effective learning support provision within a specialist educational setting.
What you'll need to succeed
1. Qualified Teacher Status and a good honours degree
2. A postgraduate SEND qualification (ideally Level 7 dyslexia/SpLD)
3. Significant experience working with students with dyslexia and co‑occurring SpLDs
4. Proven leadership or management experience within a school setting
5. Strong understanding of SEND legislation, including EHCP processes and the SEND Code of Practice
6. Experience managing provision mapping and delivering effective interventions
7. Knowledge of examination access arrangements and JCQ regulations
8. Experience working within a multidisciplinary team
9. Ability to analyse data, monitor progress and implement improvement strategies
10. Excellent organisational,munication and leadership skills
11. Amitment to safeguarding, inclusion and high expectations for all students
Desirable:
12. Current APC or relevant professional registration
13. Experience delivering training or outreach services
14. Experience working at a whole‑school, trust or advisory level
What you'll get in return
15. A senior leadership position within a specialist and supportive environment
16. The opportunity to shape and lead a highly impactful Learning Support provision
17. A collaborative, multidisciplinary team structure
18. A strong focus on professional development and evidence‑based practice
19. A varied rolebining leadership, strategy and direct impact on student oues