We currently have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and skilled professional to join our Learning Support team, playing a key role in ensuring that our provision for students with SEND is of the highest possible quality. The successful candidate will lead our talented team of 12 Learning Support Assistants and manage the day‑to‑day running of the department. They will be responsible for deploying Learning Support staff across the school to provide targeted and effective support for students with special educational needs in their learning. 

At Arden we promote an inclusive environment; all students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that is delivered through high quality teaching and learning. In order to support our students with special educational needs, we focus on quality first teaching with a particular emphasis on effective differentiation; this helps to ensure that students can access the curriculum whilst predominantly being taught in mainstream mixed ability classes. Teaching staff are supported by a highly skilled Learning Support team who work across all Key Stages, providing in-class support for students who require it the most. At Arden, we work with students who have specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, as well as students with sensory difficulties, physical conditions, ASD, ADHD, visual and hearing impairments.

The key responsibilities for this post are as follows (a comprehensive job description is available):

• Oversee the daily operations of the Learning Zone
• Be a first point of contact for parents and students requiring support and advice
• Maintain the SEND Management Dashboard on SIMS, ensuring accurate and timely information is available to support student progress
• Contribute to whole-school and SEN-specific CPD, ensuring consistency of approach and up-to-date practice across the team
• Take lead responsibility for managing and issuing student laptops, ensuring they are used appropriately to support individual needs
• Manage the communication of intervention information, including letters and supporting paperwork, to students, staff, and parents
• Provide day-to-day support to specialist teachers and external agencies to ensure effective delivery of interventions and assessments
• Effectively line manage the team of Learning Support Assistants, providing guidance, support and performance monitoring, as well as devising LSA timetables and reviewing the deployment of LSAs on a daily basis according to changing needs
• Hold termly IEP review meetings for students identified as SEN support and certain students with an EHCP as well as lead selected EHCP annual review meetings
• Lead the transition process for Year 7, working with key stakeholders to ensure smooth progression
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Qualities required:

• Knowledge or experience of working with children who have learning difficulties
• Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant Qualifications or Supporting Teaching & Learning in School Certificate (Level 3) and/or Graduate qualification within a relevant field
• Experience of leading a team or individuals
• Experience of working within a school or other educational environment
• A caring and supportive disposition

·        The school has an excellent record of success at GCSE and A Level:

GCSEs - In summer 2025, the school’s expected Progress 8 score was +0.63 (internally calculated), with an Attainment 8 score of 59.08, which shows the excellent attainment of our school.  72.8% of our students achieved a grade 5 in both English and Maths, with 87.6% achieving this at grade 4.  More than 40% of the GCSE grades awarded were grade 7 and above, with 24.3% being awarded at grade 8 & 9.

A Levels - In 2025 students achieved an average grade of a B. Our average points score of 39.36 demonstrates the excellent outcomes that our students achieve.  35% of grades awarded were A*/A and 67% of grades awarded were A*- B.

In return we can offer you:

A positive and innovative learning culture supported by students, staff, parents and governors. 

Enthusiastic students who enjoy learning and engage positively in all aspects of school life.

Access to high quality continuing professional development and the opportunity for personal growth and development.

A collaborative and supportive attitude amongst staff which promotes a sense of teamwork and unity.

A Senior Leadership team who are committed to promoting the best environment and outcomes for staff and students.

West Midlands Local Government Pension

Cycle to Work scheme.

Free on-site parking.

Children of staff who are permanently employed at Arden Academy are eligible for a ‘staff’ priority for Arden main school and Sixth Form admissions (please see Admissions on our school website for full details and eligibility criteria).

Arden Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or religion. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, will be subject to a social media online search.