Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognition & Learning
Polam Hall School, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 5PA16 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
9 October 2025 at 12:59am
Date listed
23 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £26,944 Grade G20 (FTE £32,597)
Additional allowances
£26,944 Grade G20 (FTE £32,597)
Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognition & Learning job summary
Polam Hall School - Darlington
Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognition and Learning
Post is term time only 37hrs per week, Monday - Friday.
Posted: 23rd September 2025
Closing date: 8th October 2025
Interviews held: 15th October 2025
Salary: £26,944 Grade G20 (FTE £32,597)
Polam Hall School wishes to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced individual, from either a psychology and or educational background, to the following post:
Lead SEN Practitioner: Cognition and Learning
The successful candidate will be based in the Special Educational Needs base (Ancora) and will be responsible for teaching a cohort of pupils aged mainly between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 with complex cognition and learning needs working below age related expectations.
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 830 pupils on roll with 1.5 form entry in our Primary Phase whilst over the last four 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.
Polam Hall is a community where staff and students work together for common goals. We make every effort to develop our staff team, offering professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of a wider Trust, yet retaining the friendly atmosphere of a small school. We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to join our team, who have children at the heart of their practice and who will help us to drive forward our aim: to deliver an outstanding education to every single one of our pupils.
For further information about the role, please speak to Steph Lyle, SEND Manager.
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.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
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.
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Polam Hall School
- School type
- Free School, ages 4 to 16
- Education phase
- Through
- School size
- 841 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Polam Hall School website
Polam Hall School is a 4 – 16 all-through academy and is part of Woodard Academies Trust and rated Good by Ofsted in October 2021. We have 790 pupils on roll, with 1.5 forms of entry in our Primary Phase and have increased from three to four forms of entry in our Secondary Phase. 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.
Polam Hall is a community where staff and students work together for common goals. We make every effort to develop our staff team, offering professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of a wider Trust, yet retaining the friendly atmosphere of a small school. We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to join our team, who have children at the heart of their practice and who will help us to drive forward our aim: to deliver an outstanding education to every single one of our pupils.
School location
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