Teacher - Special Educational

Job Title: Teacher – Special

Reports To: Principal

• Exercise of general professional duties
• Exercise of particular duties
  • Perform duties directed by the Principal or the Board in accordance with reasonable directions.
• Planning
  • Plan and prepare courses and lessons.
  • Teach pupils according to their educational needs, including setting and marking work.
  • Assess, record and report on pupil development, progress and attainment.
• General
  • Promote the general progress and well‑being of individual pupils and the class.
  • Provide advice and guidance to pupils on education, social matters, future careers and further education.
  • Make records of and reports on pupils’ personal and social needs.
  • Communicate and consult with parents of pupils.
  • Communicate and cooperate with approved external bodies.
  • Participate in meetings arranged for the above purposes.
• Assessment/Reporting
  • Provide or contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to pupils.
• Staff Development / Professional Development
  • Participate, if required, in staff development schemes and performance reviews.
  • Review teaching methods and programmes from time to time.
  • Participate in arrangements for further training and professional development.
  • Advise and cooperate with the Principal and other teachers on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching materials, programmes, methods and assessment.
• Discipline / Health and Safety
  • Maintain good order and discipline and safeguard pupils’ health and safety on school premises and during authorised activities elsewhere.
• Public Examinations
  • Prepare pupils for public examinations, assess and record such examinations, and supervise pupils during examination.
• Review and Development of Management Activities / Administration
  • Contribute to the selection and professional development of other teachers, including induction and assessment of probationary teachers.
  • Coordinate or manage the work of other teachers.
  • Participate in administrative and organisational tasks, including supervising support staff, ordering and allocating equipment and materials.
• Staff Cover
  • Supervise and teach pupils whose teacher is not available, subject to enrolment and duration criteria.

A full‑time teacher shall be available for work on 195 days in any year, with no more than 190 days of classroom teaching. The teacher is required to perform duties at times and places specified by the Principal, including 1,265 annual working hours exclusive of preparation, marking and travel time. Teachers may not be required to teach more than 25 hours a week in primary or special schools, and 23.5 hours a week in secondary schools.

A break of at least 30 minutes between noon and 2 pm is required, with longer breaks for nursery pupils.

• Hold a teaching qualification recognised for grant‑aided schools in Northern Ireland.
• At least 1 year of demonstrable experience using effective classroom strategies to support and challenge pupils of all abilities, including those with special educational needs.
• At least 1 year of paid experience teaching children with severe learning difficulties in a special school within the last 6 years.
• Demonstrable experience working with professionals to meet the needs of children with special educational needs.
• Demonstrable experience using specialist equipment, facilities or skills to support pupils with special educational needs.
• Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI).

• Knowledge of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection policy/practice.
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Current working knowledge of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils with special educational needs.
• Knowledge of assessment methods used with pupils with special educational needs.
• Knowledge of restorative practice and positive behaviour promotion.
• Knowledge of information technology systems, including digital classroom tools and tablet/mobile technologies.

• Effective teaching and classroom management skills to inspire and challenge pupils.
• Ability to provide an inclusive learning environment.
• Ability to use initiative, solve problems and be flexible.
• Ability to seek and pursue professional development opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively, promoting positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to motivate self and others.

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. The school’s values/ethos can be found at .

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.