Overview
Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: 1481697
Selection Criteria
SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.
SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth
SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.
SC6 Demonstrated commitment to, and experience in, cultivating the skills, knowledge and talents of high-ability and high-achieving students, and understanding of the use of technology and hybrid practices to achieve excellence and equity.
Role
Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning.
Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.
Responsibilities
Learning Specialist ¿ Leader of Curriculum & Pedagogy:
The Leader of Curriculum and Pedagogy role includes but is not limited to:
- Working with the Assistant Principal team in the development and implementation of a high-quality school-wide professional learning program focused on hy-flex teaching and learning practices for high ability students
- Leading and refining the CHES Teaching & Learning (T&L) model, ensuring consistent implementation of curriculum, teaching and assessment school-wide
- Developing a shared understanding of effective teaching and learning practices among staff, promoting the CHES values within the T&L framework
- Working with teaching teams to ensure that curriculum documentation and delivery is aligned with best practices in hy-flex and high ability teaching and learning
- Implementing programs and tools that enhance assessment practices and student learning outcomes at CHES, along with managing the assessment and reporting calendar and assessment functions
- Analysing student learning and assessment data to evaluate and refine educational programs, modeling effective data use in teaching practice
- Modeling effective teaching strategies through demonstration lessons and mentoring, including classroom visits and coaching
- Creating and managing processes for teacher reflection and improvement, including lesson observations, feedback, promoting structures and processes for Professional Learning Communities
- Supporting the professional development sessions for other schools, particularly focusing on supporting high-ability students
- Collaborating with the IT Manager to address the technological needs for hy-flex teaching and learning for both teachers and students
- Presenting at conferences on topics related to high-ability students and online learning environments
- Working effectively and collaboratively as a member of the SIT
- Working with the Principal team on staff induction
Who May Apply
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.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Child Safe Standards
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
DE Values
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
Other Information
- 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
Conditions of Employment
- 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
VIT LANTITE
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must 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 Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
Location Profile
The Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) is a vibrant centre-of-excellence for high-ability senior secondary students from government schools across Victoria. We warmly welcome new staff to our team by offering a comprehensive induction, professional learning and transition supports.
Flexible work options
We offer flexible work options, including the potential of one day per week work-from-home, and part-time work options.
Curriculum
We specialise in these four VCE subjects for high-achieving students across Victoria:
- VCE English Language 1 - 4
- VCE Algorithmics 3 & 4
- VCE Extended Investigation 3 & 4
- VCE Specialist Maths 1 - 4
We also offer Year 10 Enrichment Electives that introduce students to these subject areas.
In addition, we facilitate and support more than 20 first-year university courses (Higher Education Studies) to students across Victoria through university partnerships.
Background to CHES: The Centre for Higher Education Studies
CHES has been established by the Victorian Government to engage and meet the needs of high-ability students in the senior secondary years and to promote extension, enrichment and early access to university courses. We commenced programs in 2023 as a purpose-built co-educational school where high-achieving and high-ability students can find the support, structure and space to extend their learning beyond a mainstream program.
To access our programs, students are enrolled part-time from government schools across Victoria. CHES provides a suite of programs through our state-of-the-art facility and learning management systems. At CHES all teaching staff have responsibilities for the delivery of high-quality VCE programs and to actively support the wellbeing, engagement and academic progress of students.
Substantial professional learning opportunities and supports are provided to all new teachers on their appointment to a position at CHES. Our school values are Reach, Connect, Understand and Think Ahead, and we pride ourselves on our collegiality, collaboration and support - and our excellent relationships with partner schools and universities.
To discuss this exciting role further please contact Sapphira Talbot-Strettle, Assistant Principal of CHES, for more information or to arrange a visit to the CHES facility: 0438 268 337 or 03 9063 1170.
Our website: https://ches.vic.edu.au/
CHES is a hub to enrich and celebrate student learning
The state-of-the-art CHES facility is a four-storey building located at 669 Chapel Street in South Yarra and features a state-of-the-art classrooms, auditorium for masterclasses and seminars, university-standard science laboratories, small group tutorial rooms, a professional learning space, and rooftop terrace. These learning spaces reflect the CHES hybrid approach to teaching and learning with the capacity to easily teach students on-site and online at the same time so that students can access our subjects from anywhere in Victoria.
In 2025 there are more than 600 students enrolled (part-time) in CHES subjects with over 20% participating from rural and regional Victoria.
Our unique curriculum programs
CHES is a senior secondary school specialising in Higher Education Studies, select VCE subjects, and Year 10 Enrichment Electives.
In partnership with universities, we also offer more than 20 Higher Education Studies, which are first-year university subjects that allow students to gain ATAR points and university credits while completing their VCE studies. These courses are taught and assessed by university academics and tutors.
Students who undertake a HES or VCE subject through CHES also have access to other student enrichment opportunities, which include seminars, masterclasses and networking with universities and industry leaders.
Students participating in CHES programs remain enrolled at their base secondary school and are supported to undertake a program through CHES as part of their VCE program. Working in close partnership with their schools, students are enrolled in a CHES course for a fraction of their timetable (students typically study just one or two subjects with CHES) with the remainder of their enrolment and timetable reflecting the subjects being completed at their base school.
Local network partnerships
CHES has established partnerships with a foundation network of five local schools (Mac.Robertson Girls¿ High School, Melbourne Girls¿ College, Melbourne High School, Prahran High School and Richmond High School) and those schools are also able to deliver their own VCE classes within the CHES facility when our spaces are not fully utilised for CHES programs.
CHES also leads professional learning for teachers in schools around Victoria on meeting the needs of high-ability students.
Modes of curriculum delivery
To enable students across Victoria to access CHES programs, including rural and regional students, CHES programs are accessible online through our virtual platforms as well as on-site. CHES uses a hy-flex delivery mode, so that classroom delivery, discussion and collaboration opportunities are available to those students who are engaging online. Comprehensive orientation programs and enrichment opportunities are available to students.
CHES hours - innovative hy-flex arrangements
In terms of scheduling and work hours, please note that while most of our lessons are scheduled during a normal school day, we also hold a 90-minute `live lesson¿ for each of our VCE subjects from 4.30pm to 6.00pm on one afternoon per week and one 60-minute `live lesson' for each Year 10 Enrichment Elective once per week 3.45pm - 4.45pm, to enable as many students as possible to join the class after their regular school day. On those days, teaching staff commence work at 10.00am and finish at 6.00pm.
Additional flexible working arrangements are available for staff through discussion and negotiation with the principal, including opportunities to work from home and part-time work.
Access to CHES
CHES is an award-winning 4 storey state-of-the-art facility with university-standard laboratories, contemporary classrooms, and comfortable workspaces. We are located centrally on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Consistent with other inner city vertical schools, there is no staff car parking available on-site but there is convenient access through a range of public transport options nearby.