Graduate Academic Coach (SEND)

Habs has been awarded Independent School of the Year 2025, with Haberdashers' Elstree Schools receiving both the award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships and the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025. This national recognition reflects our long-term commitment to educational excellence, innovation and community. It is an exciting and proud moment to be joining our school.

Could you make a difference to the lives and learning of young people with additional needs?

Haberdashers' Girls' School is seeking an exceptional graduate to join our Individual Needs Department as a Graduate Academic Coach (SEND).

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented graduate to gain substantial experience supporting students within a leading independent school. Combining direct work with pupils and departmental administration, the role offers valuable insight into inclusive education and the support systems that help young people thrive.

You may be completing your undergraduate degree, undertaking postgraduate study or research, or considering your next step after university. You should have, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:1 degree, together with strong academic credentials, excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in supporting young people to fulfil their potential.

What will you do?

As a Graduate Academic Coach (SEND), you will play a key role within the Individual Needs Department, supporting pupils with a range of learning needs and helping to ensure they can fully access school life and the curriculum.

You will work alongside experienced teachers in mainstream classrooms, depending on your role and area of expertise, this could include targeted academic and pastoral support through one-to-one interventions and small-group workshops, helping pupils develop study skills, revision techniques, and confidence as independent learners.

This is an opportunity to become fully involved in school life while making a meaningful difference to the educational experiences and outcomes of young people with additional needs.

What are we looking for?

• First and foremost, we are looking for an academically strong graduate who enjoys working both with ideas and people.
• You will be intellectually curious, highly organised and interested in understanding how young people learn.
• You will be motivated by helping students overcome barriers to learning and committed to enabling them to achieve both academically and personally.

You will need initiative, resilience and a willingness to learn. You will also work closely with teachers and other colleagues, so the ability to collaborate, contribute to a community and care about the young people you support will be important.

Why Habs?

You will join an academically ambitious environment and work alongside experienced teachers and education professionals.

Through training, mentoring and hands-on experience, you will develop a highly transferable skillset. The Graduate Academic Coach (SEND) model currently being explored at Habs is intended to provide an outstanding foundation for graduates considering future careers in teaching, educational psychology, and SEND disciplines.

For graduates considering a longer-term career in education, it offers the chance to experience school life, develop professionally and discover where your strengths and interests could take you.

If you are an academically strong graduate looking for a purposeful and rewarding first step into education, we would love to hear from you.

Start date: September 2027
Contract: Full time/5 days a week/Term-time only

What we offer

• A competitive salary, commensurate with the candidate’s experience
• The opportunity to work in a vibrant, ambitious, and supportive school community alongside exceptional colleagues who are deeply committed to excellence and to one another
• Generous private pension scheme through Aegon with substantial employer contributions
• Life assurance cover
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering confidential support, guidance, and advice
• Extensive professional development and training opportunities within a culture that values growth and continuous learning
• Free lunch and refreshments during the working day
• Free onsite parking and access to the Schools’ extensive coach network
• Free access to excellent sports facilities, including the gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes
• Wellbeing initiatives and programmes, including yoga, mindfulness sessions, and health checks
• Access to an online GP service, providing quick and convenient healthcare advice
• Access to Vivup, the staff benefits platform offering discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources