Hays Specialist Recruitment • Rye, East Sussex TN31 7JE
About this role
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 outcomes 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 outcomes.
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 full compliance 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
- Qualified Teacher Status and a good honours degree
- A postgraduate SEND qualification (ideally Level 7 dyslexia/SpLD)
- Significant experience working with students with dyslexia and co‑occurring SpLDs
- Proven leadership or management experience within a school setting
- Strong understanding of SEND legislation, including EHCP processes and the SEND Code of Practice
- Experience managing provision mapping and delivering effective interventions
- Knowledge of examination access arrangements and JCQ regulations
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to analyse data, monitor progress and implement improvement strategies
- Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and high expectations for all students
Desirable
- Current APC or relevant professional registration
- Experience delivering training or outreach services
- Experience working at a whole‑school, trust or advisory level
What you'll get in return
- A senior leadership position within a specialist and supportive environment
- The opportunity to shape and lead a highly impactful Learning Support provision
- A collaborative, multidisciplinary team structure
- A strong focus on professional development and evidence‑based practice
- A varied role combining leadership, strategy and direct impact on student outcomes
- Competitive salary in line with experience
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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