SEN Support Practice KS3 & KS4 – Arden Dene Specialist Inclusion Base - The Excel Academy

Principal: Miss A Steele | Required: January 2027 | SEN Support Assistant – Arden Dene Specialist Inclusion Base | Permanent | Term Time | 32.5 hours per week | Level 5, Actual Salary £20,955 to £22,697

Alpha Academies Trust is launching a Secondary SEN Resource provision in Stoke-on-Trent, which will be based in The Excel Academy, part of Alpha Academies Trust. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic SEN Support Assistant to join our new provision opening in January 2027, which caters for children with Education Health Care Plans. Our nurturing environment supports personalised learning, complemented by access to selected mainstream lessons. Students are encouraged to integrate into mainstream school life at their own pace, engaging in extracurricular activities, social events, and shared learning experiences with their peers. There is no greater reward than being part of a highly inclusive Academy and Multi-Academy Trust that is at the forefront of educational change—where children's hearts and minds truly matter.

There is the potential for the successful candidate to progress into a leadership role overseeing this area of provision.

Our ethos is one of Pride and Respect and what makes us different, is the sense of belonging that is felt across our organisation. We are looking for a professional that can join us and share in that ‘sense of belonging’. To continue our success, we need the very best people, who we will support to be outstanding practitioners. Do you want to be a part of this? If you do, we would love to receive your application.

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public, including staff and students in accurate spoken English is essential for the post, therefore postholders must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Our Purpose

At the Excel Academy our purpose is that we are committed to To provide a first-class education to allow all students to excel. We believe in developing all aspects of a young person and therefore, personal development is a key part of our curriculum. We recognise that every child is an individual and our success is founded in the strong relationships that exist between the Academy and home.

Why Excel?

The Excel Academy is the academy of choice in the area. Our students thrive and we achieve strong academic success. The academy opened as Holden Lane High School in 1963 and in 2013 it became The Excel Academy. Our students achieve well in academic qualifications however; we have established traditions in sport and the arts.

Our outstanding new building creates a safe and vibrant environment that allows our people to achieve their full potential. We have cutting edge facilities, which together with our innovative personalised curriculum provides a basis for success. At Excel we aim to help students develop and grow into young adults who are ready to go out confidently into the world.

The Academy is part of the Alpha Academies Trust which is located in Stoke-on-Trent and consists of two Secondary Academies, four Primary Academies and a Central Team. Alpha Academies Trust has been established to create a network of Primary and Secondary Academies in North Staffordshire. Our purpose is to deliver a first-class education for every child that overcomes inequality. This means that we recruit outstanding staff and make their professional development a number one priority.

The Benefits of Working for Our Trust

The Trust offers a benefits package which includes a local government pension scheme, Staffordshire Pension Fund, discounted gym membership for on-site gyms and a 25% discount at Nuffield Health Stoke Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, free on-site parking, subsidised meals for duty staff, and a Cyclescheme. We also offer an Employee Assistance Programme through Life and Progress including counselling services to ensure that our staff are looked after and supported.

Alpha Academies Trust are committed to staff development, and all staff are encouraged to be members of the Chartered College of Teaching. This is financed by the Trust and colleagues are encouraged to access their resources and embark upon their qualifications.

For all successful applicants, the Alpha Academies Trust will support with the option to further your career by progressing or swapping to become an associate teacher on the appropriate pathway to teaching. This can be discussed at interview or at any time during your employment with Alpha.

We Are Disability Confident!

Alpha Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Employer which means that it has made commitments to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. Should you require any reasonable adjustments during any point of the application process, please contact our Trust HR Team at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk to discuss.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The Alpha Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service, as well as an online social media check along with other stringent vetting and induction processes.

How to Apply

We want people who are prepared to make a difference to a child’s life and inspire others.

We want a community that thrives on Ambition, Respect and Belonging.

If you have these qualities and want to be part of our team, please come and join us. To apply, simply click on the Apply Now button located at the top of this page, directing you to the Alpha Academies Trust vacancy portal.

If you're already registered, please log in to submit your application. New users can register using the sign-up option and proceed to submit their application. Should you need any further information regarding your application please contact our Trust HR Team by email at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk

Visits to our Academy are warmly welcomed. Those wishing to gain an insight into the environment and experience that Arden Dene will offer are invited to visit Aspen Hollis, which is based at the Discovery Academy, our first launched Secondary Specialist Inclusion Base. Please contact recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk to arrange a mutually arranged appointment.

Closing Date for this Post: Monday 9th October 2026 at 9:00am

Interview Date: Week Commencing Monday 12th October 2026