Head of Learning Support

at  Woking College

THE DEPARTMENT

Woking College aims to ensure equality of opportunity and a wide and varied curriculum for each student in order
that every student can become an effective learner, who is able to achieve their maximum potential. We appreciate
that every student is unique. Consequently, there are differences in the ways in which they learn and the level of
support that each individual needs.
We aim to provide holistic, personalised and fully integrated support for all students according to their needs and
circumstances. Starting from application and interview and continuing into the first few weeks after enrolment, using
information provided from home, Learning Support will create an agreed plan to address any particular needs. Many
students come to the College for a fresh start and so we apply a flexible approach to enable them to grow in both
confidence and independence, thereby preparing them for greater success and future progression opportunities.
A dedicated Learning Support area is available throughout the week, where one-to-one and small group lessons take
place and specialist staff in the fields of literacy, numeracy and study skills can provide assistance. Depending on
learning needs and preferences, some in-class support is also available, as well as specific workshops for building
confidence, social skills and mentoring.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post title: Head of Learning Support
Responsible to: Assistant Principal (Pastoral)

THE ROLE

This is a rarely available opportunity for an experienced individual to lead the College’s Learning Support Department.
The Head of Learning Support oversees SEND requirements including liaising on matters relating to funding
requirements, assessing and responding to EHCPs/draft EHCPs prior to enrolment and devising and tailoring a
programme of support for students with EHCPs and other students requiring additional help with their learning, taking
account of their individual needs and requirements. The successful candidate should have excellent communication
and interpersonal skills to liaise with all stakeholders as well as having solid pastoral experience and a strong
understanding of pastoral issues.
The department consists of an Assistant Head of Department; an EHCP Coordinator; an Access Arrangements Assessor;
an Access Arrangements Administrator; and 13 Learning Support Assistants, supporting approximately 200 students.
Applications from Teachers in Schools and Sixth Form College sectors are welcome. A full mentoring programme is
arranged to introduce all new staff to sixth form college systems and procedures and to support and encourage
professional development. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join the team, and inspire our students.
We expect high performance from all our staff and candidates should demonstrate their ability and suitability to both
the role and the culture of the College.
Start Date: 26 August 2025 – or sooner if available
Salary: £53,797 to £57,888 per annum (inclusive of fringe allowance), depending on experience.
Figures include the recently agreed 5.5% pay increase

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be responsible for the running of Learning Support and the line management of the staff therein including
   the Assistant Head of Department; the EHCP Coordinator and the Access Arrangements Assessor.
2. To oversee SEND requirements, including:
   a) liaising with and making recommendations to the Finance Director on matters relating to funding
   requirements, with particular reference to ALS and “high needs learners”;
   b) assessing and responding to EHCPs/draft EHCPs prior to enrolment to ensure that those students who
   are offered places are suitable for a mainstream educational environment;
   c) devising and delivering a tailored programme of support for EHCP and ALS students, taking account of
   their individual needs and requirements;
   d) chairing EHCP annual review meetings and writing up the associated review paperwork; liaising with
   the LAC College mentor regarding students who also have an EHCP, and attending PEP meetings as
   appropriate;
   e) attending meetings and representing the College with external agencies in respect of any of the areas
   above.
3. To be involved in the recruitment and selection of new staff to the department as well as implementing an
   effective training and induction programme for new staff.
4. To consider opportunities for Sharing Best Practice and ongoing CPD within Learning Support.
5. To liaise with subject Teachers, Personal Tutors and Heads of Year on the academic progress and the learning
   needs of non-EHCP students in need of support on their courses.
6. To refer, and to support LSAs in referring, all safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officers as
   required for any students.
7. To promote the work of Learning Support through presentations including new staff induction, S7 training
   sessions and other INSET as necessary.
8. To conduct new student interviews, especially for students who identify as requiring Learning Support.
9. To keep appropriate records of prospective students and accompanying paperwork.
10. To liaise with partner schools (primarily Winston Churchill, Woking High and Bishop David Brown) regarding
    the transition of key students.
11. To conduct Learning Support staff professional reviews.
12. To represent the department at College meetings and to promote and publicise the work of the department at
    the various events held over the College year.
13. To attend S7 Learning Support Managers’ meetings as calendared.
    .
14. To attend Surrey County Council SEND meetings, as necessary, and to liaise generally with the Pathways team
    about the needs of and necessary administration for EHCP students.
15. To write, maintain and update relevant policies, such as the Leaning Support and SEND policy, website entries
    and course leaflets.
16. To review and write the departmental Self-assessment Review and Quality Improvement Plan.
17. To oversee the mentoring scheme and assign/monitor pairings.
18. To respond to communications and concerns from parents/carers and to chair supportive meetings when
    required.
19. To co-ordinate and manage the LSA timetables. This will include:
    a) liaising with staff immediately after enrolment to identify appropriate support needs on courses;
    b) managing and responding to individual support requests throughout the year;
    c) regularly reviewing and updating timetables to ensure that LSA time is used productively and to
    maximum benefit in line with the changing support needs of the students.
20. To work with the college exam invigilation coordinator to identify appropriate invigilation staffing for both
    internal and external examinations throughout the year.
21. To monitor and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of learning support offered, including the organisation
    of:
    a) LSA/teacher support reviews;
    b) Student focus groups;
    c) LSA observations;
    d) Obtaining and collating qualitative and quantitative feedback at the end of the year.
22. To keep accurate records of the learning needs and progress of Learning Support students once they have
    enrolled. This will include:
    a) being present at enrolment on the Learning Support LRC desk to field enquiries related to the support
    needs of students who are enrolling;
    b) overseeing the department’s central record of all students referred for support at interview or
    enrolment, and by partner schools, teachers, personal tutors, parents and other external agencies
    such as SCC throughout the year;
    c) ensuring that relevant information is added to Portal and updated throughout the year;
    d) at the end of the year, working with the Assistant Principal (Quality) to identify progress and
    achievement of all Learning Support students using College data and results systems.
23. To co-ordinate, plan and staff the college additional support systems including the Independent Learning
    Mentor scheme and the Learning Skills Enrichment sessions.
24. To represent the department at Open Evenings and organise staff allocation at such events.
25. To manage effectively and efficiently the physical resources of the department.
26. To report to the Assistant Principal (Support for Learning and Wellbeing) to discuss matters arising at regular
    intervals.
27. When necessary and appropriate, to represent the department at meetings and to publicise the work of the
    department at the various events in the College and its partner schools.
28. To fulfil one’s own responsibilities as a teaching member of staff, in accordance with the quality standards of
    the College for up to 9 hours a week.
    .
29. To work as part of an assessment team to conduct assessments for exam access arrangements or to be
    prepared to work towards the qualification to be able to complete these assessments.
30. To act at all times in accordance with the College’s Equality & Diversity policies.
31. To act at all times in accordance with the College’s Safeguarding policy. Ensuring the safeguarding of students
    at the College, recognising one’s own role in liaison with the designated safeguarding team.
32. To contribute to the safety policies of the College as directed by the Principal and to ensure that Health & Safety
    Regulations are observed within the Curriculum Areas and within the College in general.
33. To take part in the training programmes provided by the College and agree to the process of professional
    reviews.
34. To undertake any other particular duties which may be reasonably assigned to you by the Principal from time
    to time.