Information for Applicants and Referees
Seven Hills School is a co-educational secondary special school co-located with an outstanding Catholic High School near the centre of the city. We cater for pupils from 11 to 19 years of age. The school is maintained by Sheffield Local Authority (LA).
All pupils have learning difficulties and many have other associated difficulties relating to communication, sensory, physical and/or medical disabilities. In common with many other special schools, pupils admitted have increasingly complex needs. A high proportion of pupils are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 25% of pupils are from an ethnic minority background.
We seek to appoint enthusiastic and committed teachers who can make a positive contribution to the learning and well being of our pupils. In addition to teachers with a background in special education, teachers from other sectors (including primary) who have a forward thinking vision of inclusion will be considered favourably, as will newly qualified teachers seeking to develop expertise in this area.
The majority of teachers provide learning in core subjects to a designated tutor group but may provide specialist teaching in other areas as required.
This is an exciting time during the life of this new school and this role would suit confident professionals who can contribute creatively to the development of curriculum and pedagogy.
Vision and Ethos
The mission and purpose of Seven Hills School is to provide high quality inclusive education for young people aged 11 -19 with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and complex and multiple learning needs, in a safe and stimulating environment.
Seven Hills School is an inspirational community, which nurtures talents, shares learning and celebrates life. Students are challenged to achieve their full potential in all areas.
Seven Hills students are supported and inspired to develop:
· Courage to stand up for what is right
· Self-esteem to follow their dreams
· Determination to keep going even when faced with challenges
· Joyfulness to find the good in the world around them
· Open-mindedness to value differences and to explore possibilities
· Honesty to share their thoughts
· Friendliness to develop positive relationships
Staff put no limits on learning and build powerful relationships with all student to foster learning and development.
Each student is treated as a unique individual with talents and gifts to be developed, shared and celebrated.
Staff and students learn with and from each other.
Teaching promotes curiosity and enthusiasm, encourages independence and develops confidence for life beyond school.
In order to achieve the vision set out above, Seven Hills School is committed to school improvement, innovation and striving for excellence.
Group Organisation
Students are usually grouped in phases based on their ages. Phase 1 is for Year 7&8, Phase 2 Year 9&10 and Phase 3 Years 11, 12 &13. In addition those students who need very specialist provision are grouped with the Specialist Phase so that their learning can be personalized and sensory based. These arrangements enable us to target the extra help to where it is most needed, create groups of broadly similar ability and the opportunity for older students to be buddies and mentors for younger students. Each class group has its own teaching base, class teacher and dedicated teaching assistants. Each Phase has a senior leader to co-ordinate the provision and monitor progress. Group sizes vary depending on need but are typically from 7 to 12 students with one teacher and two teaching assistants
Curriculum Framework
The curriculum is organised around the very wide range of needs and abilities of the students admitted into the school. This means that there are a number of discrete but interconnected pathways to ensure a high level of personalisation for each pupil. These have been developed from the Early Years Foundation stage programme.
The principles underpinning this structure are that learning should:
· Be incremental and result in skills development rather than just subject knowledge
· Be varied, broad and enriched
· Allow for increase choice and specialisation which in turn leads to the highest level of accreditation appropriate for each student
· Provide distinct but interconnected learning routes through school for different groups and individuals
· Provide balance and excellent preparation for successful transition to life beyond school
· Be continually improved and made relevant to a changing world
Website information
Please visit our website http://sevenhillslearning.co.uk/ for further information about our school.