Social Communication Department Lead

Orchard Academy and Shepherdswell Academy are looking for a Social Communication Lead Teacher, with dedicated time to complete the role. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career and be a part of the Extended SLT to continue to drive improvement.

Aspen is a twenty-place social communication provision situated within Orchard. Children from four years old to eleven years old, access the provision with a range of social communication needs. These include pre-formal, semi-formal and formal learners.

We are looking for someone who shares our vision and ethos to join our amazing team. The successful candidate should hold qualified teacher status and have led a subject or initiative across the whole school. They should be an advocate for the children and families in our school, be able to work as part of a team and adapt to meet the needs of the pupils in Aspen, with a strong knowledge of Autism and social, communication needs and strategies.

They should be willing to support both the children and staff within the schools and social communication department to be the best they can be, by leading and being part of the team, and have had experience of a coaching model. They must also have a clear understanding of safeguarding and be prepared to become a DDSL.

We are part of East Midlands Academy Trust and are one of their family of schools. We work closely together and by working with our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits.

About East Midlands Academy Trust 

EMAT is an exciting, innovative and growing organisation where we try to do things differently, aligned to our core values and purpose that every child deserves to be the best they can be. Our Trust is a collaborative partnership that currently includes an all-through school in Northampton, a secondary school in Oundle and five primary schools in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. 

By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits. 

These include: 

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities 
• Dedicated support from our school improvement team 
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools 
• A Trust employee forum with representatives from across the organisation 
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme 
• A corporate eye care plan 
• Flu jabs for all staff 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Headspace 

For more information or an informal conversation please contact recruitment@emat.uk. 

A Note for Recruitment Agencies 

We have a team of internal recruiters and we advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance then we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction. 

EMAT reserves the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found. 

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age.