Job Description Location: Western Region | Horsham Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025 Organisation: Schools (Government) Salary: Salary not specified Occupation: Education and Training Reference: 1449418 Selection Criteria SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities. SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth in a special school setting. SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents. SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement. SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning. SC6 Demonstrated ability to lead the development of curriculum, assessment and pedagogical approaches in a Special Education setting. Role Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce. The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service. Responsibilities In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to: Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice Modelling exemplary classroom practice including through teaching demonstration lessons Working with the school leadership team to develop a shared view of highly effective teacher practice Leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery Playing a key role in the provision of professional learning, including through developing processes and protocols for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration Modelling effective learning practice and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback and on their practice Providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development Providing expert advice about the context, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning Supervising and training one or more student teachers and mentoring and/or coaching teachers Modelling exemplary use of student data to inform teaching approaches Developing and promoting school-wide professional learning structures, processes and protocols through Professional Learning Communities Modelling exemplary professional learning practice included through seeking feedback from other teachers and leaders on their own classroom practice as part of critical reflection and inquiry to improve practice Who May Apply Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position. EEO AND OHS Commitment Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school. The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines). Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au Child Safe Standards Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy DE Values The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview Other Information Please ensure that your application includes: A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home) A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application. Please limit KSC to maximum of 1 A4 sheet per criteria. Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action. Conditions of Employment All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx VIT LANTITE To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person. Location Profile Horsham Special School was established in 1988, moving to its current site in 2013. It has a wide enrolment base, drawing from the local area to as far as the South Australian border including Nhill, Dimboola, Kaniva, Goroke, Edenhope and Serviceton. Horsham Special School provides educational programs for students aged 5-18 years displaying mild; moderate and severe diagnoses associated with cognitive, physical, social, emotional, behavioural, sensory and multiple disabilities. The school's overarching purpose is to encourage and enable all students, staff and the school community to achieve their full potential. The safe, caring and stimulating school environment focuses on our key values of Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Your Best. The school's dedicated staff provides a highly individualised educational program for each student. This is not confined to the classroom and physical building but extends into outdoor play spaces and indeed the local community in which we live. The individual programs are prepared and delivered by teachers, along with their assistants and are reviewed regularly to ensure student needs are being met. Integral to the Horsham Special School Curriculum is the programming provided by specialist and therapy staff. The school offers focused support in the areas of Art, Physical Education, Music, Swimming & Welfare. The physical environment complements the programming, with a state of the art purpose built special school. It comprises a fully equipped commercial style kitchen, open art workshop, sensory courtyard, open learning spaces, kitchenettes and architecturally designed playgrounds. The curriculum at Horsham Special School is both functional and practical, divided into the following focus areas: Functional Academics - Literacy and Numeracy; Personal & Social Development; and Communication. Each student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed for them; containing goals from each of these focus areas which make up their program.