Great Western Academy opened in September 2018 and now accommodates over 1,000 students in years 7 to 11 and the Sixth Form. The school is heavily oversubscribed in years 7 to 11 and the Sixth Form is flourishing. Our philosophy of Achievement, Care and Excellence permeates all we do, with Care firmly at the centre of this. We use the phrase “Work Hard, Be Kind” to summarise what we expect of students and to create a culture of positive support where students behave well and are able to thrive, whatever their needs, and where they are proactively and effectively safeguarded. 

Great Western Academy welcomes all students; the SEND team promotes our inclusive approach and ensures that students with additional needs are fully supported with their learning. The successful candidate will usually be able to demonstrate a strong track record of working with students, their parents, and a range of professionals within and beyond the school to ensure that every student is supported to make the best progress possible. However, applications are also welcome from candidates new to working in a SEND team who show enthusiasm for providing all students with the best opportunities possible and who are willing and able to quickly learn from our established team. 

The successful candidate will join our SEND team, reporting to our experienced SENDCo.  Each member of our team is placed in a specialist hub, focusing on a particular field of SEND provision (Cognition and learning, communication and interaction and Social, Emotional and Mental health). Our vision is that our learning mentors will each focus on a particular field of additional needs provision (or have the potential to do so with appropriate training and support). Experience, qualifications, or simply a strong interest in a specific area of SEND work would be an asset to any application.  

Great Western Academy supports staff career progression. Two of our three Hub Leaders started their careers at Great Western Academy as Learning Mentors. There is also an opportunity for overtime 2 evenings a week for suitable candidates to lead our enrichment sessions. 

Additional benefits of working at GWA include:  

 Excellent CPD program 

State of the art facilities – including dedicated student support area for SEND students 

Leading edge ICT, including a laptop provided for all staff and pupils  

Medical and Wellbeing Support Service  

Easy access to the A419 with free parking on site  

Great Western Academy aims to radically improve the life chances of every student who attends. We use our brand-new building and state-of-the-art facilities (including a purpose-designed SEND suite) to help achieve this, but it is the fantastic team of staff who turn our vision into reality. If you have the proven ability to contribute to our inclusive approach in the classroom and beyond then we would be delighted to hear from you. 

Further details are available on the Academy website and in the information documents attached. If you have further questions prior to application, please contact Charlotte Greenwood (Assistant Business Manager) on recruitment@gwacademy.co.uk  

Safeguarding Statement   

Great Western Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.