The Local Area

Southend is a large seaside town located in South East Essex. With many surrounding towns and villages, it has a long history and a diverse culture. The area is a varied combination of seaside landscapes, town centres, nature reserves, countryside and historical villages.

Southend Seafront

The seafront has long been a favourite destination for family days out and is a committed tourist attraction. Seven miles of glorious coastline incorporates eight official beaches, three of which are blue flag winners and seven of which have a Quality Coast Award. The beaches feature stunning views, refreshing shoreline and cliff walks, water sports and activities

Travel & Proximity

Southend is in close proximity to London, the Essex countryside and international destinations via London Southend Airport and the Eurostar rail link connections at both London Waterloo Station and Kings Cross St Pancras Station. Southend is just 45 minutes from Stansted Airport which provides regular cheap flights to Ireland, and within easy reach of Gatwick, Luton and other London airports. Southend is also served by two rail lines which provide easy access to the heart of London.

Schools in Southend

We are particularly looking for candidates to take up post within our secondary and special schools. Teachers of Maths, Science, Design & Technology and English are especially welcome, as are teachers with a special educational needs background.

Southend has 12 secondary schools, including 4 Grammar schools and 2 Roman Catholic schools, and 6 Special schools, including a Pupil Referral Unit and 5 other schools with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties expertise.

Southend Borough Council is committed to improving facilities, educational standards and pupil achievements throughout the schools it funds. Most teachers are provided with laptops and have access to the latest ICT technologies within schools.

Ofsted Rating of Southend schools

The Ofsted categories cover performances in areas such as Overall Effectiveness, Capacity to Improve, Enjoyment, Curriculum, Equality of Opportunity, and so on. Ofsted results across Southend are very favourable, with the average rating across all categories being 1.8. Schools are judged from 1 (Outstanding) to 4 (Unsatisfactory).

Key Stage Results

The following graphical data outlines the 2007 Key Stage results across Primary and Secondary schools. In each key stage, the data demonstrates that Southend pupils have a higher rate of achievement than the national average in England and Wales.

Professional Development

A structured mentor support programme will be offered during the induction period, coupled with a wide range of courses including:

• Classroom Behaviour Management
• Planning for Assessment
• Special Educational Needs
• Utilising Support Staff and other Adults in the Classroom
• Teaching & Organising ICT
• Science
• Numeracy
• Literacy

The Induction Programme is designed to support and enable all NQTs to meet the Core Standards for Induction by the end of their induction period. Additionally, from 2008 NQTs will have the opportunity to begin studying for a Masters Degree substantially funded by the LA and offered through Christ Church Canterbury University (CCCU).

Incentives

Southend Borough Council has developed an attractive recruitment package for teachers from Ireland.

We are currently working with Thames Estuary Housing to provide up to 50 key worker houses for use by teachers recruited from Ireland. It is our intention to make your transition to Southend as smooth as possible, and give you the opportunity to house share with other colleagues from Ireland at a very affordable price.

On invitation to interview, you will be provided with a welcome pack that will point you to all local services and information that will assist the process of settling into the area.

In addition, each school in Southend is at liberty to offer other incentives to NQTs. Some of the main incentives include:

• Early Start (and payment through the summer holiday)
• Recruitment Points  
• Relocation Allowance
• Specific and focused training         
• BUPA care discounts for teachers
• Priority places in a purpose built childcare facility
• Home Buy Scheme, Rent / Mortgage Subsidies

Leisure Activities

Southend has a wide variety of interesting and exciting activities.  Whether you choose to participate in sports or other entertainment, Southend caters for all.

Situated along the Eastern Esplanade on Southend Seafront is the Marine Activities Centre. Recently modernised, the centre caters for a full range of water sports and activities including Sailing, Canoeing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Powerboat Driving and Jet-skiing.

Southend United Football Club is currently in division one and has a strong local following. Locally known as ‘The Blues’ the club has recently been given permission to build a new 22,000 seated stadium which is due to be ready in the 2010 season.

Developments: Now and Future

Southend has seen and continues to see investment in new developments and projects. A ‘not for profit’ public and private company named Renaissance Southend has been set up to manage many large scale projects in the area.  The aims of Renaissance Southend are to establish Southend as a regional centre, develop London Southend Airport, regenerate Shoeburyness, enhance green infrastructure, improve transport infrastructure and advance culture and heritage. To meet these aims there has been public and private investment of £500 million over a five year period.