Head Start Learning Leader

Department of Education Victoria – Mont Albert North VIC 3d ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria Koonung Secondary College will be the host school for this Head Start position. Head Start supports Victorian secondary school students to undertake school‑based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) while completing their VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate. It aims to improve outcomes, quality assurance and equitable distribution of opportunities for senior secondary and special education students who undertake an SBAT. Head Start also considers middle school students’ preparedness for success in the SBATs program. The three core components of Head Start are: Flexible delivery of the senior secondary certificate with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy Quality training delivered concurrently with secondary school education Maximised time on the job to support achievement of competencies Head Start was piloted in over 150 schools from 2019 with strong outcomes. The expansion includes access to all Victorian government secondary schools, including special schools, and Flexible Learning Options. The program has introduced more rigorous SBAT compliance and monitoring across the system supporting the state’s response to the 2020 Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth Review) reform agenda. These reforms will collectively support all Victorian secondary students to pursue high‑quality and valued vocational pathways aligned with their strengths and interests and to finish schooling with the skills and capabilities they need for success in further education, training, work, and life. The expansion of SBATs will also assist in addressing prioritised skill shortages by providing employers with support and access to school‑based apprentices and trainees. The option to maximise time in employment has proven to support students’ genuine progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship whilst meeting employer requirements. The program provides students with a clear pathway from school into employment with a qualification. About Head Start Hubs All government schools are committed to a collaborative and creative approach to improving Vocational Education outcomes and experiences for all students. All schools actively engaged with Head Start are committed to providing their students with a pathway to completing Year 12, whilst establishing an authentic career path within an industry with proven demand. Head Start hubs are overseen by a Board comprising selected host school principals and led by the Hub Director, who has the primary responsibility for reporting directly to its members. Selection Criteria Demonstrated knowledge of the senior secondary curriculum particularly vocational and applied learning, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs. Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement. Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching. Committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment within the education and Head Start SBATs context. Role The Learning Leader plays a significant role in delivering improved student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school's strategic plan and state‑wide priorities of the Head Start program. The Learning Leader may engage with students from up to fifty government secondary and specialist schools, as well as Flexible Learning Options settings that align with one of the twelve program hubs across Victoria. Reporting directly to the Head Start Hub Director, the Head Start Learning Leader will: Contribute to the development and implementation of Head Start program within department and school policies and priorities within the Head Start program context; Increase the knowledge base of staff within schools about student learning and high‑quality vocational instruction that supports meaningful employment pathways; as well as define quality teacher practice within the SBATS context; Plan and teach programs to achieve positive student outcomes and longer‑term student retention; Undertake critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning; Build strong relationships with Head Start colleagues across Victoria by collaborating on program opportunities; contributing to the Head Start SBATs program through capacity building using the department and school‑based policy formulation and decision making; and Be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties. Responsibilities Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students engaged in the Head Start SBATs program; Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach students to engage in critical reflection of their learning and to expand their capacity and opportunity to be a work‑ready employee; Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual student and school staff professional learning; enabling targets related to improved student retention; Direct responsibility for teaching of groups of or individual students undertaking Head Start SBATs program across a number of schools within the school hub; Work closely with individual schools, staff and careers practitioners to monitor student pathways; maintaining detailed records for each student undertaking Head Start SBATs program; Contribute to the development, implementation and delivery of the Head Start SBATs program within the hub and across the state; Undertake other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal; Participate in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; workplace visits or related events; and undertaking other non‑teaching supervisory duties as directed by the Hub Director/Principal. Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or a tertiary qualification that will add value to the context of education, training, and skills opportunities for students. Diversity and Inclusion The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability. Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via ******@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 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 Other Information 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 Conditions of Employment Have a current drivers licence. Have a current VIT registration and relevant teaching qualification(s). Be highly mobile. Work may occur across a range of schools (note, this may mean potentially changing the successful applicant's primary location over time). Complete work from a location(s) other than their host school. Demonstrate an understanding of the school setting, particularly the relationships between middle and senior secondary education regarding career pathways (note, an additional teaching specialisation that will add value to the context of vocational education is desirable). Qualification Requirements The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and If the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and A person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also 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 ITE program completed by the person). Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools. Be careful – Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad. #J-18808-Ljbffr