Brisbane School of Distance Education is seeking a Head of Department - Special Education to join the existing high‐performing team. It is expected that the successful applicant will work collaboratively with the members of the leadership team to pursue and achieve the School's vision with a focus on student support and wellbeing. The Head of Department will actively work with staff members in their designated areas of responsibility to nurture positive relationships and deliver improved outcomes for students. This is a temporary full‐time position (includes 0.20 – 0.40 teaching load) until 11 December 2026, unless otherwise determined.
About Us
At Brisbane School of Distance Education, we are committed to pursuing our vision of providing high quality education with a student focus on each student succeeding through \"Innovation, Inspiration and Inclusion.\" Our school is a leader in the delivery of online learning to a diverse student population of approximately 3500 students. Through the innovative use of digital technology, we provide cutting‐edge live group lessons including support materials with a focus on each student succeeding.
We aim to create a powerful whole‐school infrastructure where meaningful, collaborative professional teams engage in constructive dialogue, reflect on practice and take collective responsibility for the improvement of all student learning.
At the heart of the school, and at the core of all that we do, are the young people in our care. In partnership with families and schools, the school's responsibility is to develop in our students the capacity to engage with and respond to their world with wisdom, imagination and creativity.
About The Role
Brisbane SDE's Inclusion and Student Support (ISS) Department supports students, most with disabilities, in Prep to Year Twelve. There are more than 50 staff in our ISS team. We support approximately 900 students with a range of curricular and social‐emotional supports.
Our primary role is to assist students to successfully access and participate in learning from the full Australian Curriculum and then into Years 11 and 12. We achieve this by working collaboratively with teachers, parents and students by applying, where needed, reasonable adjustments, and by implementing strategies and utilising resources.
Our team maintains a holistic approach to student learning by collecting, collating and acting on information. This is achieved through formal assessments, observations and interactions with students, and discussions with parents and carers, as well as external agencies.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
* Lead and align the school department around a shared, future‐focused educational vision that ensures high‐quality learning outcomes for all students.
* Promote equity and excellence by embedding socially just practices and setting high expectations for student achievement and staff performance.
* Foster continuous professional growth through active participation in lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
* Build strong partnerships with students, parents, government agencies, and community groups to enhance learning and wellbeing outcomes.
* Ensure effective governance and strategic resource management by understanding relevant legislation and policies and managing human, financial, facility, and curriculum resources to achieve departmental goals.
Skills And Qualities
* Knowledge and understanding of digital pedagogies
* Ability to lead collaborative practice with staff and work collaboratively in a team
* Adaptive leader
* Effective communicator
How To Apply
Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.
* Please submit a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant previous work history); and
* A 2‐pg written statement in response to the attached role description.
We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
Occupational group Education & Training
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