Lead SEN Practitioner

Polam Hall School - Darlington

Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognitive and Learning

Post is term time only 37hrs per week, Monday – Friday.

Posted: 7th June 2024

Closing date: 2nd July 2024

Interviews held: 8th July 2024

Start date: September 2024 (subject to satisfactory checks)

Salary: £24,722 Grade G20 (FTE £30,296)

Polam Hall School wishes to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced individual to the following post:

Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognitive and Learning

The successful candidate will be based in the Special Educational Needs base (Ancora) working with Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 aged pupils, and must have experience of working with and developing the learning of young people and in a school setting.

The post requires the Lead Special Educational Needs Practitioner to work under the direction of the SENCO:-

• To create a purposeful and effective academic support curriculum for pupils working below Age Related Expectations in Ancora which enables pupils to achieve.

• To deliver 1 to 1 and small group academic support lessons in line with the teaching and learning framework and SEN Policy.

• To coordinate, timetable and record pupil learning on school systems including Provision Map and Arbor.

• To contribute and when appropriate lead on all matters relating to the curriculum regarding design and implementation with emphasis on good quality of teaching and learning.

• To liaise with Heads of Phase, Heads of Faculty and teachers to ensure that an appropriate curriculum is designed, planned and delivered to pupils accessing this provision.

• To ensure that curriculum content is connected to the pupil’s cohort’s curriculum to keep abreast with peers.

• To ensure that teaching is adapted and suitable to stretch, challenge and support each pupil, including developing a range of resources and adapting pedagogical styles to suit the needs of each learner and will promote effective learning.

• To be accountable for pupil progress and performance and standards achieved in groups taught.

• To mark work providing feedback and target setting, ensuring that feedback is acted upon.

• To create and maintain a welcoming, well-ordered teaching space which is inviting and has a sense of purpose

• To liaise with parents and carers, including attending parent evenings as agreed in the annual calendar.

• To keep accurate records of pupils, curriculum and impact.

• To keep abreast of developments, local and national within the area of SEN.

• To promote the use of the school awards.

• To uphold school expectations regarding pupil conduct and deal with any unacceptable behaviour in line with the school behaviour policy.

• To promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils.

Qualifications at GCSE (or equivalent) are essential including in English and Maths as well as a Level 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning or equivalent.

Experience of working with complex needs SEN Support are essential.

Experience of working in a Primary setting with Key Stage 2 would also be an advantage.

This is a permanent post in so far is subject to continued funding for SEN pupils.

Our School:

Polam Hall School is a 4 – 16 years all-through academy and is part of Woodard Academies Trust and delighted to have been rated Good by Ofsted in October 2021 and strives to be Outstanding upon their return. We have 790 pupils on roll with 1.5 form entry in our Primary Phase whilst over the last two years our secondary phase has increased from three to four forms of entry. Polam Hall is a school with a unique and long history, which today is proud to be a fully comprehensive school serving the young people of Darlington. Our mission is to educate the whole child, developing leadership, compassion, character and academic ambition, through the combination of our Academic and Concordia Crescimus curricula. We have high expectations and aspirations for every member of our school community.

Visits to the school are welcome and can be arranged by the Administration Team, please call school reception.

Please note you should use the supporting statement section of the application form to clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements outlined in the person specification. The information in this section will be used to shortlist applicants for the role and therefore it is important that you provide enough detail to give a full picture of your skills and experience and what you can contribute to teaching and learning at Polam Hall.

Polam Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.