Principal: Miss A Steele | Required: January 2027 | SEN Practitioner – Arden Dene Specialist Inclusion Base | Permanent | Term Time | 32.5 hours per week | Level 7, Actual Salary £24,621 to £26,746
Alpha Academies Trust is launching a Secondary SEN Resource provision in Stoke-on-Trent, which will be based in The Excel Academy, part of Alpha Academies Trust. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic SEN Practitioner to join our new provision opening in January 2027, which caters for children with Education Health Care Plans. Our nurturing environment supports personalised learning, complemented by access to selected mainstream lessons. Students are encouraged to integrate into mainstream school life at their own pace, engaging in extracurricular activities, social events, and shared learning experiences with their peers. There is no greater reward than being part of a highly inclusive Academy and Multi-Academy Trust that is at the forefront of educational change—where children’s hearts and minds truly matter.
There is the potential for the successful candidate to progress into a leadership role overseeing this area of provision.
Our ethos is one of ‘Pride and Respect’ and what makes us different, is the sense of belonging that is felt across our organisation. We are looking for a professional that can join us and share in that ‘sense of belonging’. To continue our success, we need the very best people, who we will support to be outstanding practitioners.
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public, including staff and students in accurate spoken English is essential for the post, therefore postholders must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.
QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING:
- Good standard of general education including GCSE English& Maths grade C or above (or equivalent).
- Willingness to embrace personal development and undertakespecific training.
- Working at the professional standards for Higher LevelTeaching Assistants.
EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE:
- Previous experience of working with or caring for youngpeople.
- Previous experience of working with children with Autism.
- Experience of dealing with children who struggle to regulate
- Sound organisational skills.
- Good ICT skills.
- Experience of working in an educational setting.
- Experience of working with 11-16 age range.
- Ability to teach small groups.
- Ability to cope under pressure.
- Ability to adopt relational approaches with children.
- Previous experience with children at risk of permanentexclusion in an alternative provision setting.
- Knowledge and compliance with policies and proceduresrelevant to child protection and health and safety.
- Experience of dealing with very challenging behaviours.Knowledge of the SEN code of practice and Communicationand Interaction needs.
- Understanding of ACE’s and their impact on children.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Good communication skills both written and verbal.
- Ability to work within a team.
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to youngpeople and providing specialist support to pupils.
- Experience of meeting personal care needs of a youngperson.
- Knowledge of manual handling techniques.
- Knowledge of SEN code of practice and current educationalissues.
- Knowledge and understanding of barriers to learning.
SEN Practitioner - Arden Dene Specialist Inclusion Base employer: The Alpha Academies Trust
Teaching Vacancies is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and students. With a strong benefits package and a commitment to safeguarding, employees can expect meaningful growth opportunities in a nurturing environment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education and child care in Stoke-on-Trent.
