SEND Learning Mentor
Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 5QP13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
15 June 2026 at 9am
Date listed
2 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Part time: 35.16 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Grade C SCP 5 - 7 (Annual Salary £25,583 to £26,403) Prorated salary £20,820 to £21,487
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for a responsible, proactive, and well-qualified individual to help students with a variety of needs across the school. The postholder will support our young people to access a full curriculum, spending time both in the classroom, in our SEND base and supporting the SENCO with administrative support.
We welcome applications from both experienced practitioners and those looking to start their career in education. For the right candidate, we are open to offering this position as an apprenticeship, providing you with a fully funded qualification, structured on-the-job training, and a dedicated mentor.
The successful candidate should be resilient and have experience working with young people who have complex needs. A passion to ensure the best outcomes and experiences for our students is essential.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience and knowledge of working with autistic young people.
Background, qualification, or experience in STEM subjects.
The ability and willingness to actively support practical PE sessions / off site school activities.
Apprenticeship Entry Requirements:
Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above.
The school's SENCO and relevant outside agencies will fully support the postholder in this role.
A passion to ensure the best outcomes and experiences for our students is essential.
This post is available for an immediate start.
For more information please visit www.dhsb.org/recruitment and to request an informal discussion about this role with our SENCO, Jo Weaver, please contact Mikaela Blows, Head’s PA, at mikaela.blows@dhsb.org.
Please apply by completing and returning the school application form by 9.00am on Monday 15th June. Interviews will be held later that week.
What the school offers its staff
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to support this commitment. Full DBS disclosure will be required for the successful applicant.
We also recognise, respect and value differences and understand that diversity is a strength.
Further information about the job
Main Purpose of Job:
To work under the instruction and guidance of the SENCO teaching and senior staff to undertake work, care and support programmes to enable access to learning for students and to assist the teacher in the management of students and the classroom. Work may be carried out in the classroom, outside the main teaching areas or in the SEN base. To support the SENCO with administrative support of approx 5 hours per week.
Duties and Responsibilities to include:
Support for Students
1. Supervise and provide particular support for students, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
2. Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes.
3. To co-ordinate, resource and deliver individual learning programmes where appropriate e.g 1:1 dyslexia support, precision spelling or social skills
4. Establish constructive relationships with students and interact with them according to individual needs.
5. Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students.
6. Encourage students to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.
7. Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence.
8. Provide feedback to students in relation to progress and achievement under guidance of the teacher.
9. Actively support practical PE sessions / off site school activities.
Support for the Teacher
1. Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with lesson plans and assist with the display of students’ work.
2. Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support students to achieve learning goals.
3. Assist with the planning of learning activities.
4. Monitor students’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement and progress as directed.
5. Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on students’ achievement, progress, problems etc.
6. Promote good student behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage students to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
7. Provide clerical/admin support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, money, administer coursework etc.
Support for the Curriculum
1. Undertake structured and agreed learning activities and teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to student responses.
2. Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop students’ competence and independence in its use.
3. Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist students in their use.
Support for the School
1. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
2. Be aware of and support differences and ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
3. Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school.
4. Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
5. Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
6. Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
7. Assist with the supervision of students out of lesson times, including before and after school, and at break and lunchtime.
8. Accompany teaching staff and students on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher.
9. Supporting the SENCO with administrative support
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Devonport High School for Boys
- School type
- Academies, None, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1268 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Devonport High School for Boys website
- Email address
- mikaela.blows@dhsb.org
- Phone number
- 01752208787
Devonport High School for Boys is a happy and vibrant grammar school for boys aged 11-18.
Our vision, whatever your role in the school or personal ambition, is that ‘Everyone Succeeds’.
Arranging a visit to Devonport High School for Boys
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email mikaela.blows@dhsb.org.
School location
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