Middle School Learning Specialist Teacher (For Academic Year 25Y26)

Role Overview

Learning Specialist Teachers are vital to the success of our diverse and inclusive school community.  The Learning Specialist Teacher serves as the grade-level expert on differentiation, accommodations, and child development, collaborating with teaching teams to address the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. They provide targeted support for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) while implementing evidence-based strategies that foster confidence, maximize achievement, and promote holistic development. Through both direct student support and teamwork, the Learning Specialist ensures all students thrive academically and socially, contributing to initiatives like TIDE times, assemblies, and events such as Neurodiversity Awareness Week.

Impact and Action

As expert members of the faculty team, our Learning Specialist Teachers are crucial role models of the values of THS.

The Experience Comes First

Your commitment to seeing strengths in every child and collaboration with teaching teams ensures each student feels confident, capable, and valued. Through your expertise in differentiation and accommodations, you create meaningful, inclusive learning experiences that empower students to reach their full potential.  You ensure that every student has the support they need to thrive.  By putting the learning experience at the heart of all you do, you inspire growth, resilience, and a love of learning that transforms lives.

Lifeworthy Learning

You equip students with the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to succeed both in school and beyond. Through personalized support and meaningful collaboration, you help create learning experiences that are relevant, empowering, and prepare all students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Redefining Rigor

You truly understand each student and meet them where they are - supporting, encouraging, and challenging them to grow. Through innovative strategies, personalized support, and a focus on strengths, you empower students to overcome barriers, engage deeply with their learning, and grow in ways that are both transformative and authentic.

Invested in the Individual

You’re the champion for every student you support—the one who truly understands their unique strengths, needs, and potential. You’re their trusted advocate, unwavering encourager, and biggest cheerleader, helping them see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Through personalized support and a belief in their ability to improve, you celebrate every step forward, inspire resilience, and make each success feel meaningful and earned.

Community Oriented

You foster a vibrant, inclusive school community where every student feels valued and celebrated. By modeling involvement and enthusiasm, you inspire students to take part and have a go, strengthening connections and creating a sense of belonging. Your dedication uplifts everyone, building a community rooted in respect, inclusion, and growth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Learning Specialist Teacher is a collaborative peer leader who supports student success by modeling best practices in differentiation, accommodations, and child development. They provide targeted support for students with IEPs, foster confidence, and promote holistic growth. Actively contributing to class and school initiatives, they ensure all students thrive in an inclusive, supportive community.

Examples of some indicative responsibilities are as follows.  This list is not exhaustive, and Learning Specialist Teachers will not necessarily be working on these all at the same time, but this does give an indication of the types of responsibilities that come with this position.

Indicative Responsibilities:

• Differentiation and Instructional Support:  Design, implement, and model differentiated instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners, including students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and those requiring additional support.


• Advocacy for Inclusion: Advocate for inclusive education practices, ensuring that all students, including those with neurodiverse profiles, are valued and supported in the school community.


• Collaboration with Teachers: Partner with classroom teachers to develop inclusive lesson plans, accommodations, and modifications that support a variety of learning styles and abilities.


• Student-Centered Learning:  Promote and implement student-centered practices that encourage autonomy, critical thinking, and active participation in learning.


• Social-Emotional Support: Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies into academic instruction, fostering a sense of belonging, resilience, and self-regulation among students.


• Behavioral Interventions: Develop and support the implementation of positive behavior intervention plans that focus on restorative approaches and promote positive classroom culture.


• Professional Development: Provide training and coaching for teachers and staff on differentiation, accommodations, and evidence-based strategies for supporting diverse learners.


• Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Use data-driven approaches to monitor student progress, assess learning outcomes, and adjust interventions to ensure student growth.


• Family Engagement: Collaborate with families to create individualized strategies that extend student support beyond the classroom, building a strong school-home partnership.


• Community and Cultural Initiatives: Actively participate in initiatives like diversity awareness programs, assemblies, and school events that celebrate and embrace the uniqueness of all students.


• Curriculum Adaptation: Adapt and align curriculum to meet developmental and academic needs, ensuring accessibility and relevance for every student.

Required Qualifications

• Exemplary, native level English-speaking and writing skills


• Bachelor Degree or higher in Special Education, or Bachelor Degree in any subjects with PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education), or equivalent SEN qualification.


• Minimum of 2 years learning support experience with demonstrated strong organizational, administrative and interpersonal skills

Reports To

• Principal / Learning Specialist Coordinator
  

Application

If you are interested in applying for the post, please click 'APPLY'. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only.

Safeguarding

The Harbour school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts at the school are subject to rigorous background checks.