Internal Inclusion Base Leader – The Den

Waterside Academy, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1NZ

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  26 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  13 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Pay Scale - H5 (actual salary - £19,814 based on 31 hours per week, term time only)

Internal Inclusion Base Leader – The Den job summary

Could you make a real difference to the lives of children with additional needs?

At Waterside Academy, we believe that every child deserves to feel valued, included and successful. We are looking for a passionate, skilled and dedicated individual to lead The Den, our established inclusion provision, and help us continue to provide high-quality learning experiences for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We are actively welcoming applications from experienced practitioners beyond Waterside Academy. This is an open recruitment opportunity, and we are keen to hear from candidates who can bring their knowledge, experience and fresh perspectives to our school.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced SEND practitioner who is ready to take on a leadership role while continuing to work directly with children and make a difference every day.

You will be joining an established provision that plays an important role within our school. We are proud of the work already in place and are now looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, expertise and enthusiasm to help us further refine and develop our practice.

About The Den

The Den is an established and valued part of Waterside Academy's inclusive approach. It provides a nurturing, carefully adapted learning environment for children with significant additional needs, including pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) who are working substantially below age-related expectations.

Our focus is on helping every child develop their communication, independence, social interaction, emotional regulation and learning skills, recognising that progress looks different for every child.

We are proud of the provision we have established and are ambitious about continuing to strengthen and develop it. We are looking for someone who can build on the work already in place, bring fresh ideas and expertise, and help us further refine our approaches to teaching, learning and supporting children's individual needs.

Working closely with our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), the successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and organisation of The Den. This will include supporting and developing colleagues, modelling effective practice and ensuring that consistently high expectations underpin everything we do.

This is an opportunity to lead an existing provision through its next stage of development, helping to strengthen practice, establish greater consistency and ensure that every child receives the high-quality, personalised support they need to thrive.

Importantly, this is a hands-on role. You will work directly with children, modelling effective approaches and helping to create a positive, engaging and purposeful learning environment.

The role also includes dedicated planning time during the working week, recognising the importance of preparing high-quality, personalised learning opportunities, reviewing children's progress and working with the SENCo to continually refine provision.

What will the role involve?

As Inclusion Base Leader, you will:

• Lead the daily organisation and delivery of provision within The Den, creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive.
• Build on established practice, working with the SENCo to identify and implement improvements that further strengthen provision.
• Work closely with the SENCo and class teachers to plan and deliver engaging, personalised learning opportunities.
• Use allocated planning time to prepare and adapt learning activities, review children's progress and ensure provision meets pupils' individual needs and agreed targets.
• Support children to make meaningful progress towards their EHCP and Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) targets.
• Guide, coach and support colleagues working in The Den, promoting high expectations, professional development and consistent approaches.
• Model effective teaching, communication and behaviour support strategies, helping colleagues develop their confidence and skills.
• Help develop children's communication, independence, confidence and emotional regulation through carefully adapted learning experiences.
• Monitor and celebrate children's progress, using observations and assessment to identify next steps and evaluate the impact of provision.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, families and external professionals to support each child's development.
• Collaborate with inclusion base leaders across Agora Learning Partnership, sharing effective practice, learning from colleagues and contributing to the continued development of SEND provision.
• Promote inclusion, ensuring that children remain connected to their classes and the wider school community wherever appropriate.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who combines a genuine passion for supporting children with SEND with the confidence, skills and enthusiasm to lead others.

You will ideally:

• Have substantial experience of working with children with SEND, particularly those with complex learning, communication or developmental needs.
• Understand how to adapt learning to meet individual needs and support children working significantly below age-related expectations.
• Be familiar with EHCPs, individual learning targets and the importance of carefully monitoring progress.
• Have a calm, patient and nurturing approach, alongside high expectations for what every child can achieve.
• Demonstrate the confidence and ability to lead day-to-day SEND provision, model effective practice and support the professional development of colleagues.
• Be confident providing constructive feedback, promoting consistency and ensuring that agreed approaches are implemented effectively.
• Have the knowledge and confidence to evaluate existing practice, recognise what is working well and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Understand the importance of positive behaviour support, emotional regulation and safeguarding children with additional needs.
• Be organised, proactive and able to manage the daily demands of a busy inclusion provision.
• Communicate effectively and build positive relationships with children, colleagues, families and other professionals.
• Be reflective, open to new ideas and enthusiastic about learning from and collaborating with colleagues across other schools.
• Experience of leading a team or working within a specialist SEND provision would be an advantage, but we would also welcome applications from experienced practitioners who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
• Above all, we are looking for someone who believes in the potential of every child, celebrates the small steps that lead to significant achievements and wants to make a lasting difference.

Why join Waterside Academy?

Waterside Academy is a friendly, welcoming primary school in Welwyn Garden City, where relationships, inclusion and high expectations are at the heart of everything we do.

We are proud to be part of Agora Learning Partnership, a family of schools committed to working collaboratively to provide the best possible opportunities for children and staff.

We can offer:

• An established SEND provision with opportunities for development, where you can build on existing practice and make a meaningful contribution to its future.
• A genuine opportunity to lead, using your experience and expertise to support colleagues, strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children.
• Dedicated planning time built into the working week, giving you time to prepare purposeful learning experiences, monitor progress and contribute to the ongoing development of The Den.
• Support from the SENCo and school leadership team, with opportunities to discuss, reflect on and develop provision together.
• A collaborative network across Agora Learning Partnership, including opportunities to work alongside other inclusion base leaders, share effective practice, exchange ideas and learn from one another.
• Opportunities for professional development, helping you strengthen your SEND knowledge and leadership skills.
• A welcoming and inclusive school community, where staff work together to provide the best possible opportunities for children.
• A rewarding, hands-on role, where you can see the difference your work makes to children's confidence, independence and learning every day.

Our recent Ofsted inspection recognised the positive environment we provide for our children and staff, noting:

"Pupils receive a warm and friendly welcome each day. This helps them to feel secure and valued."

“Leaders prioritise the workload and wellbeing for staff… Staff feel trusted, valued and motivated to improve their practice.”

We want The Den to continue reflecting those same values, providing a place where children feel safe, understood, challenged and proud of their achievements.

Come and see us

We would warmly encourage interested candidates to visit Waterside Academy, meet our team and see The Den in action before applying.

We particularly encourage prospective applicants who are unfamiliar with Waterside Academy to arrange a visit. This will provide an opportunity to see The Den, learn more about our approach and discuss how your experience and ideas could contribute to its continued development.

To arrange an informal visit or discuss the position, please contact the school office and ask to speak with Kevin Peart, Headteacher.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted through MyNewTerm.

We are looking for someone who can bring energy, expertise and commitment to our school, and we look forward to hearing from candidates who share our ambition for every child to succeed.

Safeguarding

Agora Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Waterside Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 166 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Waterside Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/waterside-academy

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