Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is located in the vibrant community of Broadmeadows in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The school is easily accessible by car and public transport, with buses and trains stopping at Broadmeadows Station, just a four-minute walk from the school.
The school is a modern purpose-built facility and provides an attractive and safe environment. Learning areas include well-equipped classrooms, dedicated specialist spaces and outdoor learning zones. The school has 2 sites, the main campus in Dimboola Rd and a Sorrento Street campus with students attending from a wide geographical and diverse socio-economic background. Students attend school daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Curriculum
Programs are delivered within Department of Education guidelines and reflect the Victorian Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the development of programs that address individual student needs, through Individual Learning Plans.
Our pedagogical approach is informed by evidence-based teaching practice. An explicit, evidence-based synthetic phonics program that systematically teaches children to read (Little Learners Loves Literacy) has been implemented over 10 years and has resulted in improved student outcomes. Collaborative curriculum planning, aligned to the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 and the Science of Learning, is the current focus for strengthening whole school teaching and learning approaches across the school.
Broadmeadows SDS Educational goals and priorities are reviewed every six months. Class groups are comprised of 6-8 students, with a teacher and teacher assistant, to ensure a safe and effective learning environment, where individuals are respected and self-esteem and dignity are strongly advocated. The school has a trans-disciplinary approach to student learning with input from educators, therapists and parents. Teachers case conference students with their allocated Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist each week.
Our school philosophy is reflected in its programs and based on the belief that children learn best in a co-operative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Broadmeadows SDS has a School Wide Positive Learning Program and has developed a school culture that is reflected by the ideals of positive behaviour support. Assessment is based on Individual Learning Plan goals.
An emphasis is placed on students attaining skills and knowledge that they will use as young adults when graduating at 18 years of age.
Working at Broadmeadows SDS:
Class sizes range from five to eight students, with each class supported by a teacher and an Education Support Officer (ESO). Some classes are larger and have team teachers, where two teachers co-teach in the classroom. Teachers are provided with planning each week to collaborate with their section teams on developing high-quality unit planners and weekly programs.
Staff are supported by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, who work alongside educators to meet each students individual needs. Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work within classrooms to collaborate on programs.
The school is staffed with classroom teachers, specialist teachers, literacy specialists, teacher assistants, occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists. The school accesses additional support through the Visiting Teacher Services for Hearing and Vision Impairment and a school psychologist. Current staffing includes over 180 staff including a team of 40 plus therapists.
A Commitment to Excellence
Broadmeadows Special Developmental School delivers a knowledge-rich curriculum through explicit, evidence-based instruction. We dedicate significant time to building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, particularly through the Big 6 of Reading, oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
We have a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), embedding a targeted approach to both learning and wellbeing.
Ongoing professional learning is offered throughout the year to ensure all staff remain up to date with best practices and Department of Education initiatives, such as the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, Professional Learning Communities, etc.
At Broadmeadows SDS, we place a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of our staff, students, and families, taking a holistic, school-wide approach to care and support.
Successful applicants may be required to work at either the Dimboola Campus or the Sorrento Campus which are within a short walk of each other.
SC1 Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.
SC2 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.
SC3 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.
SC4 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.
SC5 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.
SC6 A demonstrated commitment to special education and an understanding of intellectual disability and the implications for teaching and learning.
SC7 Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver a Performing Arts program
The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2. The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.
As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.
Classroom teacher Range 2
Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.
A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.
Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:
- Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
- Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
- Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
- Supervise and train one or more student teachers
- Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.
Classroom teacher Range 1
The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs. Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.
At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities.
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice. New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.
Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.
Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.
The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:
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Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;
- Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;
- Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;
- Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;
- Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
International applicants who are qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position are welcome to apply.
Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is approved to sponsor international workers.
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 (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
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
[email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
New graduate teachers are welcome to apply.
Time Fraction and start date may be negotiated with the Principal
Please phone the school on 9302 1244 if you would like to discuss the position further.
Where an ongoing teaching position in a special school is advertised:
An ongoing teacher who does not hold an approved special education qualification may be offered permanent transfer to the school if the teacher has completed 3 or more years continuous employment in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting
An external applicant, including an existing fixed term employee, who does not hold an approved special education qualification, but who holds provisional or full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, may be offered ongoing employment if the teacher has completed 3 or more years of continuous employment as a teacher in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting
Other than set out above, a teacher who does not have an approved special education qualification can only be offered:
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temporary transfer for a period not exceeding 3 years where the successful applicant is an ongoing employee, or
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fixed term employment for a period not exceeding 5 years where the successful applicant is not an ongoing employee
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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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
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The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
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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
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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.
