Director of Pupil Support
Hangzhou, China
Start Date: August 2025
The School
This school is part of a highly prestigious and expanding school group, with International Colleges, Bilingual Schools and Nurseries throughout China, serving approximately 5000 pupils.
The Hangzhou campus opened in September 2018 to Pre-Prep and Prep pupils between the ages of five and eleven. The school provides world-class facilities for all pupils, the very best teachers following the UK / IPC curriculum to IGCSE level.
Living and Working in Hangzhou
With over 9 million inhabitants, Hangzhou, the capital of China's Zhejiang province, is the southern terminus of the ancient Grand Canal waterway, which originates in Beijing. Its West Lake, celebrated by poets and artists since the 9th century, encompasses islands (reachable by boat), temples, pavilions, gardens and arched bridges. The subtropical monsoon climate contributes to varied seasonal sceneries, making Hangzhou one of China's most popular travel destinations all the year round - a real holiday hot spot and therefore a great location in which to set up living.
MAIN PURPOSE
To play a key role within the College to ensure that all pupils with learning support needs can successfully access the curriculum and all aspects of College life.
JOB PURPOSE
To manage the Learning Support team as line manager, including arranging CPD opportunities and co-ordinating and delegating tasks and support.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Teaching and Learning
- Identify and adopt the most effective teaching approaches for pupils with SEN.
- Identify gifted and talented pupils, track their progress and ensure extra support is provided to further develop the pupils.
- Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning activities to ensure they meet the needs of pupils with SEN.
- Where necessary/possible, actively teach learning intervention and support groups to ensure their progress.
- Promote the resources/interventions/skill sets that will develop pupils' ability to work independently.
- Have regard for the individual needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and support their learning by using a wide range of teaching strategies, planning and providing support for their full participation in all activities.
- Liaise with Admissions to ensure the identification/continuity of support and learning of pupils with SEN on entry to school.
- Liaise with other schools to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils with SEN.
- Talk to pupils with SEN to listen to what they have to say about their experience of education/school. Address any areas of concern.
- Provide CPD for teachers to support them in delivering lessons which meet the needs of SEN and Gifted and Talented pupils.
- Ensure accommodations are put in place for Senior School pupils and, where necessary, exam accommodations are applied for and put in place for SEN pupils.
Recording and Assessment
- Keep the Special Needs Register up to date.
- Keep the gifted and talented register up to date.
- Undertake the provision mapping of SEN annually to ensure all children's support needs are met. Set targets for raising achievement among pupils with additional learning needs and SEN, interpret assessment data, feeding specifically into termly Pupil Progress Review.
- Meet with teachers and TAs and formulate plans to address any issues and needs as appropriate. Maintain and further develop existing systems for identifying, assessing and reviewing SEN. Update the SMTs on the effectiveness of provision for pupils with additional learning needs and SEN.
- Meet with parents termly to share updates on progress and next steps.
Leadership
- Ensure all members of staff recognise and fulfil their responsibilities to pupils with SEN. Provide training opportunities for learning support assistants and other teachers to learn about SEN/additional needs.
- Disseminate outstanding practice in SEN across the school.
- Identify resources needed to meet the needs of pupils with SEN and advise the SLT of priorities for expenditure.
- Assist in the effective organisation and deployment of teaching assistants and other resources linked to Special Educational Needs.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Listening to colleagues with concerns about pupils.
- Advising colleagues about their concerns and ensuring that these are documented and acted upon at other stages.
- Monitoring any screening/baseline assessments to identify and address children who are falling behind.
- Attend meetings to support class teachers where necessary to keep parents informed about their child's progress.
- Lead review meetings.
- Coordinate provision by calling meetings as necessary. Meet parents who have concerns about their child/children.
- Advise the Teaching Assistants and teachers in techniques and materials which enable them to implement support plans and manage the targets set in them.
- Monitor the resources devoted to special educational needs and make cases for funding where necessary. These resources include books, other teaching materials and practical teaching aids including technological aids such as laptops, iPad's and Dictaphones.
- Take the lead in assessments of children with SEN including their strengths and weaknesses.
Professional Development
- Take part in appraisals and annual professional review meetings.
- Keep up to date with current thinking, regulations, practice and further develop skills by attending courses, workshops and meetings.
BASIC QUALIFICATION
- Hold a Bachelor's degree related to your subject specialism
- Fully qualified as a teacher (holding teaching certificates such as PGCE, QTS etc)
- Fluent English, spoken and written.
- Hold the SENCO qualification.
EXPERIENCE
- Evidence of leadership skills and successfully managing a department in a school.
EXPERTISE
- Exceptional leadership, organisational and communication skills.
PREFERRED APTITUDES
- Be able to assess pupils' interests, needs and developments.
- Be able to develop a curriculum.
- Open, proactive, patient and caring.
- International and bilingual school working experience is preferred.
- Cross-cultural working experience is preferred.
Salary and Benefits
- Excellent salary - the overseas package provided by this school enables a very high quality of life and savings opportunities
- Accommodation
- Annual flights provided for post holder and dependents
- Free tuition for up to 2 dependents
- Medical cover for post holder and dependents
- Relocation allowance
- Laptop provided
- 2 year contract
- Opportunities for career progression within a global organisation.