Head of Inclusion

Job description / Role

Job overview

Taaleem is seeking a visionary and strategic Head of Inclusion to lead and embed inclusive practices across the school.

About Taaleem

Taaleem is one of the largest, most respected education providers in the United Arab Emirates and the only publicly listed education provider in the UAE. Taaleem (which means u2018educationu2019 in Arabic) was established in 2004 and now has over 27,000 students attending our diverse portfolio of private international and public-private partnership schools across the UAE.

Job purpose

The Head of Inclusion has the overall responsibility for ensuring appropriate quality provision, attainment and progress for students identified as Special Educational Needs (SEN), English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Gifted and Talented (G&T). The Head of Inclusion is also responsible for communicating and engaging with parents and a variety of external student support services to ensure that all students have access to appropriate interventions and learning strategies to meet their individual needs.

Key accountabilities

• Create and maintain a register of all students with specific educational needs requiring support.
• Create, monitor and review effectiveness of student support policies and procedures.
• Oversee day-to-day operation of the schoolu2019s student support policies.
• Effective management of budget and prioritization.
• Track the progress and development of targeted students in conjunction with class/subject teachers and team leaders.
• Collect data and analyse student results.
• Support the identification of student needs, including conducting individual assessments as needed.
• Support and monitor the development and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as appropriate.
• Design and coordinate intervention and ensure effective implementation and provision of programs for students.
• Identify barriers to learning for identified students and share appropriate strategies with staff.
• Mentor and induct new staff within the team.
• Line manage and monitor the performance of Individual Learning Support Assistants (ILSAs) in school.
• Report back to and meet with teachers and parents as appropriate.
• Provide training and coaching of classroom Learning Assistants to extend their knowledge and skills in supporting students to narrow gaps, address areas of need and accelerate learning.
• Maintain high levels of communication with all relevant parties.
• Create and maintain a register of students with extra time exam/assessment accommodations.
• Ensure examination and assessment provision and accommodations are in place for specific students with phase coordinators and subject leaders.
• Delegate sectional responsibilities where appropriate.
• Attend various parent/teacher occasions.
• Develop strategies to most efficiently and effectively assist targeted students.
• Assist as necessary with enrolment and admissions procedures and assessments.
• Resource management.
• Conduct and report on student observations.
• Conduct lesson observations and support teacher development.
• Implement effective screening and diagnostic procedures to identify specific learning needs.
• Performance management of staff with focus on differentiation to impact on teaching.
• Receive and act upon Records of Concern where necessary.
• Lead weekly, minute meetings with staff involved in Student Support.
• Ensure regular timetabled meetings with Heads of Section.
• Ensure transparent and appropriate regularity of meetings with parents, along with classroom/subject teachers.
• Prepare reports as required to meet particular circumstances, i.e. DSIB, SEF requirements, quarterly reports etc.
• Attend Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings as and when necessary to provide updates or advice/guidance as appropriate.
• Initiate, develop and manage effective and supportive relationships with external agencies/providers as appropriate, e.g. child psychology services.
• Ensure any specific or critical action required for any students is shared with staff as necessary and that professional development, if required, is provided.
• Develop opportunities across Taaleem for professional sharing and development.

Person specification

Education: Bacheloru2019s degree, teaching certification, educational leadership/management workshops (e.g. NASENCO, NPSQL) preferred.

Experience: Four yearsu2019 senior or middle leadership in a similar setting.

Competencies

• Knowledge of international accreditation.
• Inspection and evaluation frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written form.
• Educational leader and outstanding teacher.
• Sound decision making.
• Solutions focused.
• Knowledge of child protection and health and safety.
• Experience in developing and/or sustaining high performance teams.
• Highly effective relationship management with a variety of stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge of SEN, EAL and G&T quality provision and curriculum.

Attributes

• Collaborative team player.
• Inspirational speaker.
• Empathetic listener.
• Integrity.
• Strategic thinker.
• Able to convert vision into action.
• Internationally minded.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Intercultural awareness.
• Creative.
• Persuasive.
• Flexible and capable of managing growth and instilling high standards.
• Adept in multilingual settings.
• Spirited.
• Pioneering.
• Professional and nurturing.

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. At Taaleem, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks including receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.