Scottish National Standardised Assessments - Support Officer

About our Team

The partnership, comprising ACER International United Kingdom Limited (ACER UK), SCHOLAR and Twig World Ltd. has been formed to provide professional development of teachers in the use and application of the new Scottish National Standardised Assessments as commissioned by the Scottish Government.

Further details on our team can be found on the job vacancy website: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/jobs/job_SVJDMjUwNzQ.htm

Job Description

Scottish National Standardised Assessments – A Support Officer is being sought to support teachers in the implementation of the Scottish National Standardised Assessments in primary and secondary schools.

The Support Officers deliver training, in the SNSA system, to all relevant stakeholders. Part of the training involves professional development in the use of the standardised assessment data analytics for improving attainment and how it contributes to teacher professional judgment of children's progress.

Support Officers disseminate the technical information that allows the education community to be confident that the technology used to deliver the assessment works, and - ultimately more importantly - the opportunity to provide substantive support to learning, particularly in the development of data literacy. It is this second element that will contribute to the wider goals of the National Improvement Framework and Curriculum for Excellence.

The ACER-led partner group offer a comprehensive programme of communications, orientation, technical and pedagogical training to support the implementation and delivery of the assessments. Our programme encompasses key stakeholders, focussing on staff in local authorities and schools.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The role holders are responsible for:

• the training and professional development of primary and secondary teachers across Scotland in the use of the Scottish National Standardised Assessments;
• aiding the creation and editing of existing ACER training materials and modern methodologies e.g. webinars for Scottish teachers;
• evaluating feedback from training sessions to permit rapid refinement of the staff development programmes;
• leading on the professional development of teachers in the use of the standardised assessments to improve data literacy, raise attainment and support teachers' professional judgment of children’s progress;
• liaising with, and briefing, other stakeholders on the effectiveness of the staff development programmes.

Please note that we currently have offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Support Officers are expected to travel to schools and other locations throughout Scotland.

The successful applicant/s are subject to Disclosure Scotland accreditation.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or degree level qualifications
• Professional qualification (e.g. GTCS accreditation)

Desirable

• Accredited training qualification

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of teaching in Scottish primary or secondary schools

Desirable

• Experience of developing and delivering training and professional development
• Experience of creating surveys and gathering feedback
• Experience of generating presentations
• Using standardised assessments in a classroom environment

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to take initiative when required
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of personnel, especially teaching professionals, at all levels, including those from technical and non-technical backgrounds
• High level of written communication and computer literacy skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, and recognise when to request advice/assistance
• The ability to self-monitor workloads, work to deadlines and be adept at time management
• Be capable of contributing to, and assisting in, the work of a multi-disciplinary team and be adept at problem solving

Amount of Travel

Support Officers are expected to travel to schools and other locations throughout Scotland.

Please note that we currently have offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

How to Apply

Applications should be made online through the Heriot-Watt University iRecruit system: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/jobs/job_SVJDMjUwNzQ.htm

Any queries should be sent to Laura Green (l.green@hw.ac.uk).

Closing date for applications is 17th January 2020.

This role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UKVI to enable sponsorship of migrant workers. Therefore we cannot progress applications from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK. For further information on this please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

At Heriot-Watt University we understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We want to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. This post is fixed term until 31st July 2021.