Head Teacher Special Education

Fairfield High School is a comprehensive, secondary school located in south west Sydney, and provides for the academic and emotional needs of approximately 1100 students. A well-established Intensive English Centre is located on site as part of the high school community, which caters for newly arrived students from overseas, refugees and international students. The school has seven special education classes that support the learning of students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities and autism.

Fairfield High School has a Family Occupation Employment Index (FOEI) of 186. The school community is culturally and linguistically diverse with 93.5% of students from a Language Background Other Than English (LBOTE) (predominantly from Syria, Iraq, Vietnam and the Pacific Islands) and 1% who are from an Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander background. Our staff are committed to explicit teaching and differentiated learning, underpinned by EAL/D pedagogy to facilitate excellence in student outcomes.

At Fairfield High School, we aim to uncover and realise the potential of all students through High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE), with a strong focus on the academic and social-emotional domains. Student voice is promoted through the SRC, community ambassadors and other leadership roles, enabling learners to influence decisions, share ideas, and inspire their peers. In this way, Fairfield high School students build confidence, achieve their potential, and contribute to our vibrant school community.

Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria:

Approval to teach special education and/or experience teaching students with autism and / or mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Demonstrated ability to lead and build the capacity of the Special Education Faculty to implement explicit teaching, differentiated learning and wellbeing programs that engage and support the diverse learning needs of students, including those from EAL/D backgrounds.

Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with stakeholders and external agencies to support the implementation of individualised wellbeing and transition programs to promote positive outcomes and successful pathways for students with additional learning needs.

Demonstrated ability to work with the executive team to lead the implementation of initiatives aligned to the strategic directions of the School Excellence Plan.

1. Successful teaching experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice

2. Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student welfare with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs

3. Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams

4. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents

5. Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning

6. Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy

An unconditional full approval to teach is a requirement. If you do not hold a full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education, you are required to commence the application process at the same time as you apply for this teaching opportunity.

The Eligibility Requirements for Head Teacher Positions in NSW Government Schools are located here.

Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.

About the NSW Department of Education

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion

New merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals have been introduced to provide greater clarity to applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are located here. To ensure that your application complies with the guideline page limits, your attachments must be in PDF format.