Allie Smith

● Lead departmental self-evaluation using appropriate benchmark resources.

● The management and deployment of staff in the department.

● Providing guidance, support, training, and teaching materials to staff in the department.

● Led initiatives to engage all members of the school community in supporting pupil needs.

● Lead information and support sessions for parents throughout the school session.

● Gather and analyse data to make effective decisions for pupils.

● Prepare and revise the departmental handbook and Improvement Plan.

● Oversee annual Professional Review and Development for all staff in the department in line with School Policy.

● Arrange and manage departmental meetings and the keeping of minutes.

● Manage allocated budget.

● Represent the department at relevant events and meetings.

● Take responsibility for all aspects of ASL provision for pupils

● Maintain up-to-date records of accessible data for staff describing pupil needs and support strategies.

● Advised staff on additional support provision to enhance pupil learning outcomes.

● Provide information, advice and support to staff in the identification of the most effective teaching approaches for ASL pupils.

● Responsibility for IEPs.

Advised subject departments on Alternative Assessment Arrangements to support diverse learning needs.

● Develop pupil knowledge and understanding of barriers to learning and strategies to use.

● Lead an ASL Professional Pathway as part of career-long professional learning.

● Liaise with staff from other support agencies such as Community Child Health, CAMHS, and Educational Psychologists, as appropriate.

● Liaise with Aberdeen Independent Schools on professional learning and sharing of practice.

● Collaborated with parents to address children’s progress, ensuring effective support and regular updates through meetings, reviews, and reports.

● Liaise with feeder schools to ensure a smooth transition for pupils joining the school at all stages. ● Work with any other appropriate external organisations.

● Extensive experience in providing specialised support for pupils with additional support needs.

● In-depth knowledge of barriers to learning.

● Proven track record of effective leadership across departments.

● Excellent communication skills working in close collaboration with teaching colleagues, parents and external agencies where required.

● Excellent organisational skills and ability to create and maintain records for quality assurance purposes.

● Monitor teaching and learning to meet the needs of pupils with additional support needs.

● Experience of using management information systems to track and record pupils’ progress.

● A proactive approach to parent and pupil engagement.

• Taught S1–S4 pupils in both mainstream and ASN base settings, using monitoring and tracking to inform teaching and interventions.
• Developed, implemented and reviewed Individualised Education Programmes (IEPs) in collaboration with subject teachers, including differentiation strategies and targeted support.
• Designed an adapted curriculum for pupils with complex additional support needs and implemented targeted interventions.
• Prepared and shared reports on pupil progress and attainment with colleagues to inform teaching strategies.
• Engaged effectively with parents at consultation evenings and review meetings.
• Liaised with external agencies, including Educational Psychologist, Visual Support Teacher and Teacher of the Deaf, to enhance support for pupils with additional needs.
• Delivered whole-school CPD on supporting learners with barriers to learning.
• Developed accessible ICT learning resources and tailored materials for National 2 English, Communication and Personal Achievement Award, promoting inclusive learning.
• Served as Acting Principal Teacher of Support for Learning during PSA staffing reductions, maintaining service provision and supporting staff cohesion to ensure continuity of pupil support
• Led weekly departmental meetings across four support teams; recorded, actioned and communicated outcomes to staff.
• Worked collaboratively with teaching staff, PSAs and Senior Leadership through regular review meetings with the Headteacher, contributing to strategic planning and departmental improvement.
• Developed and implemented departmental improvement plans in consultation with staff and evaluated progress against agreed targets.
• Contributed to weekly PSMG meetings reviewing pupil progress and managed SFL/MICAS transition information.
• Managed and monitored four departmental budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources to meet pupil needs.
• Coordinated daily staff deployment and cover arrangements to maintain consistent pupil support.
• Conducted staff observations, professional reviews and PRD interviews to support professional development and quality assurance.
• Participated in recruitment and PSA audits, including managing staffing reductions with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Completed GIRFEC and Child Protection training and applied consistent communication and organisational systems to support effective departmental practice.
• Demonstrated effective time management and prioritisation in multiple Teacher roles, consistently meeting competing deadlines and operational demands.
• Supported assessment arrangements, including reader and scribe provision for class assessments and SQA examinations.

• Teaching English from S1-S6. Using 5-14, Standard Grades, Intermediates, Higher, and Advanced Higher.
• Differentiated work to suit diverse learning needs of all pupils.
• Set targets and profiled individual children to assess learning needs and track progress.
• Identified target areas for IEPs based on forward plans for term work.
• Worked with pupils identified as SEBD in the classroom and on a one-to-one.
• Facilitated the Successmaker programme to enhance student learning and engagement in core subjects.
• Produced specialised resources for pupils.
• Close working with SFL.