Lead Alternative Provision Officer

The North School, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8AL

13 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  23 June 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  10 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time, part time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Term Time plus 5 Staff Development Days
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £29,587 - £31,198 FTE
• Actual salary: £25,561 - £26,953 Pro Rata
• Pay scale: Swale Academies Support Staff Pay Scale (SAT D)

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Alternative Provision Unit within The North School is seeking a dedicated Lead Practitioner to oversee the unit and deliver subject support. This role is uniquely suited to highly experienced non-teaching professionals with a strong background in tutoring and student intervention.

The unit caters to secondary-aged students (11–16), most of whom navigate social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. We are looking for an individual who can bridge the gap between pastoral care and academic achievement.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications: While QTS is welcomed, we strongly encourage applications from non-teaching professionals with relevant degree-level qualifications or significant experience in tutoring and student support.

• Experience: A minimum of two years’ experience within an SEN, PRU, or Alternative Provision setting is highly desirable.
• Skills: You must be comfortable working in a challenging but rewarding environment. Exceptional behaviour management, patience, and the ability to plan engaging, interactive sessions are essential.
• Attributes: We value flexibility, high professional standards, and the energy to inspire students who may have struggled in mainstream settings.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership: Plan and deliver/tutor core specialist subjects up to GCSE level using creative, exciting methods.
• Curriculum Breadth: Maintain a functional understanding of the wider curriculum to support or tutor students across various subjects as required.
• Intervention & Progress: Effectively communicate and liaise with staff to develop progress plans and manage behavior to prevent exclusion.
• Holistic Development: Promote social development by providing students with diverse resources and innovative learning methods.
• Target Setting: Support colleagues in creating implementation targets that track the social, emotional, and academic progress of every student.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise closely with parents, carers, and external stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for the unit’s students.

Full details of the requirements of the post can be found in the accompanying recruitment pack.

What the school offers its staff

This is an exciting opportunity to join our school. In return, we offer a stimulating, supporting, and rewarding working environment, where all staff are valued and where you will have the opportunity to access a range of excellent professional opportunities to support your progression.

Join us to benefit from:

• Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous employer contribution
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) Scheme
• Generous Holiday entitlement of 26 days (SAT A-E) plus Public holidays, that increases on length of service
• Employee Referral Recruitment Incentive
• Access to training and development
• On-site Parking
• Discounts with local and national retailers, cinemas and restaurants
• Employee Assistance Programme – Wellbeing and advice

Cycle to Work scheme

Flexible working opportunities

We understand the importance of work-life balance and will give due consideration to requests for flexible working.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

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.

Ready to join us?

If you are interested in this post and require further information or would like an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Debbie Fuller, Administration Officer for Recruitment and Trips and Visits, at Debbie.fuller@swale.at or 01233 614600.

Applications should be made via Kent Teach or by submitting a SAT Application Form to Debbie.fuller@swale.at. Please note, we cannot accept CVs.

If you experience any difficulty in completing the application form, please contact recruitment@swale.at.

We are happy to discuss any support you may need during your application process as part of our reasonable adjustment approach.

In accordance with current GDPR compliance we will not keep any details / application forms on file once the position is filled.

Applications will be considered upon being received. Interviews may take place prior to the closing date.

Swale Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from ROA and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure

Swale Academies Trust schools will conduct an online check of shortlisted candidates in line with the Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines.

Commitment to safeguarding

Swale Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from ROA and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

TNS - Lead Alt. Provision Leader - Recruitment Pack.pdf - 1.43 MB (opens in new tab)

About The North School

• School type: Academies, Does not apply, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1270 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The North School website
• Email address: Debbie.fuller@swale.at
• Phone number: 01233 614600
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-north-school

Core values of achievement, respect, resilience and community underpin all that we do at The North School, resulting in a welcoming, happy and aspirational school, where students and teachers enjoy learning together. We have high ambition for every pupil as noted in our Ofsted report from November 2024, expertly driven by an experienced team of colleagues who provide all students with the best possible opportunities, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Our students are expected to treat each other and staff with care, courtesy and consideration. They are taught to always try their very best at whatever they do and to value the progress they make as individuals. We value a community approach to education to ensure that there is a broad range of expertise within the school. This enables our students to be supported in all areas, so that they may strive to reach their full potential in school and in their future lives.

At The North School we recognise that the students are at the centre of the learning experience and that they all come with different needs and abilities, not to mention interests and strengths. Therefore, we continually review the curriculum diet available; to ensure that it best reflects the national picture and the needs of the students. This enables us to make the learning experience as skills based as possible with a broad range of subjects and an emphasis on personal achievement.

Our classroom practice and academic achievement is supported by a wide range of facilities that include a school farm, managed by a very successful Young Farmers team, the Basketball Academy, excellent sports facilities and a wide variety of clubs and visits.

Part of the Swale Academies Trust, The North School recognises that people have different strengths and interests and aims to give individuals the opportunity to develop those further where possible. The School has a real community feel and really encourages its employees to be part of this community and the wider life of the school. Working in partnership with parents and the local community is important to us. Collaboration with parents to ensure that every student in our care reaches their full potential is highly valued and we encourage all parents to get involved in the life of the school.

Arranging a visit to The North School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email Debbie.fuller@swale.at.

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