ARP Lead: Transform Futures for SEND Learners in Northampton

Your career #EMATters! Are you an inspirational leader and advocate for young people with SEND? Do you have the passion, drive and expertise to lead a brand new ARP that ensures aspirational social and academic outcomes for the learners who will attend the provision? We are looking for a Lead for our new ARP Veris. We are opening a new repurposed build for up to 30 students with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), a diagnosis of Anxiety or on the pathway, and/or an ASD diagnosis who are currently working with external services (eg – CAMHS) or who are open to working with clinical services. Our students profile will be one of social and emotional vulnerability who is finding it difficult to attend school.

About EMAT EMAT is an exciting, innovative, and growing organisation where we strive to do things differently, aligned with our core values and purpose: that every child deserves to be the best they can be. Our Trust was incorporated in July 2012 to establish, maintain, manage, and develop academies and free schools as world-class centres of excellence. We are a collaborative partnership that currently includes an all-through school in Northampton, a secondary school in Oundle, and five primary schools in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits.

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools.
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to the Teachers Pension Scheme.
• A corporate eye care plan.
• Flu jabs for all staff.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing benefits, including an online GP.
• Access to an employee lifestyle savings platform.
• Generous family leave.

About the School Northampton International Academy is a local school with a global vision and this is at the very core of our curriculum offer. Every school in the East Midlands Academy Trust (EMAT) is committed to providing the highest standard of education so that all children are supported to be the best that they can be. This will be achieved by the delivery of a well-planned and highly effective curriculum which is driven by our values. We believe in the transformational power of education. Transformation is in the very fabric of our building, having been transformed from the derelict and disused Royal Mail sorting office into a state-of-the-art educational facility. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, with key stage 3 learners accessing the specialist facilities on a rotational basis. In addition to our subject-based curriculum, our character education has been introduced throughout our all-through school as its DNA from reception through to Year 13. This character curriculum helps to prepare children for future learning and their adult lives. Focusing on the characteristics of Responsibility, Collaboration, Respect, Care, Excellence and Aspiration, our DNA of NIA complements our subject curriculum and our House system. As a school, we are still growing and we have a range of exciting opportunities across the school including positions with additional responsibilities. One of those exciting opportunities is to be part of the Combined Cadet Force with the Navy which now has a unit within NIA.

General Roles and Responsibilities: The ARP is due to open to its first cohort of students in September 2026 on a phased entry. The ARP leader will join us beforehand to prepare for the opening. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and excellent SEND leader or experienced SEND Teacher to join us in the role of ARP leader. As a specialist setting, the ARP will operate as a “school within a school” model; ARP colleagues will work in partnership with the wider school community to ensure that the ARP’s vision and its ethos of the extended offer are embedded. The ARP Leader will be responsible for successfully managing, leading and developing the ARP vision and values through a clinically informed educational offer to meet the needs of the young people who attend. The new ARP leader will be supported with professional development opportunities alongside Trust and School based assistance including a comprehensive induction programme. The role includes effectively managing a team comprised of teachers, ISPs (Individual Support Practitioners) alongside liaising and working alongside clinical practitioners. The ARP Leader will oversee and check the quality of provision to ensure best practice and deliverance on EHCP outcomes/and pathway to adulthood targets. You will work in partnership with parents/carers, external specialists, the Local Authority, and the Senior Leadership Team at Northampton International Academy.

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or age. EMAT encourage a “Speak Up” culture where colleagues are encouraged to raise any concerns relating to risk or wrongdoing. You will be responsible for ensuring that colleagues are supported where necessary to raise concerns without blame or recrimination and should pro-actively raise concerns should they come to your attention.