Special Needs Welfare Practitioner | The Discovery Academy | SCH-AIAT-0298

Principal: Ms J Schofield | Required: As Soon as Possible | Special Needs Welfare Practitioner | Level 5, Term Time, Actual Salary (£19,656 - £21,291) | 32.5 Hours per week | Fixed Term to 17/07/2026 to support a pupil

The Discovery Academy is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Special Needs Welfare Practitioner to join our strong team of highly motivated professionals who work collaboratively to raise standards and expectations at all levels throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. We are looking for a motivated team player who is able to fully engage children in their learning and make a positive contribution to all aspects of academy life; including supporting any interests in extra-curricular activities. This is a fantastic opportunity for inspiring and aspirational individuals to join a creative, well established, and supportive faculty. Please note, this post is a temporary post to support a pupil for their duration of time at this Academy.

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.

At the heart of everything we do is an unremitting desire for our students to become successful and responsible young people who make a positive contribution to our academy and the wider community. To do this, we need the very best people, who we will support to be outstanding practitioners. Do you want to be a part of this success? If you do, we would love to receive your application.

Our Purpose

At the Discovery Academy our purpose is that we are committed to "delivering ambitious, high-quality teaching and learning every lesson, every day that overcomes inequality and allows every student to achieve success". As an Academy we have created a culture around our core values of Pride, Respect and Commitment to ensure high expectations, positive relationships, and support for all students. We believe having high expectations of behaviour and attitudes enables teachers to teach and students to develop in a caring, supportive environment.

Why Discovery?

The Discovery Academy is one of the largest Academies in Stoke-on-Trent. It boasts a £21 million building with world class facilities, including extensive sport and recreation areas. The building design has a faculty-based organisation in which subject areas are co-located to foster collaboration and project-based learning opportunities. There are an extensive range of vocational and academic facilities across the Academy.

The Academy is part of the Alpha Academies Trust which is located in Stoke-on-Trent and consists of two Secondary Schools, four Primary Schools 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 and overcome 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 good pension scheme with a current employer contribution of 24.2%, discounted gym membership for on-site gyms and a 30% discount at Nuffield Health Stoke Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, free on-site parking, subsidised meals and a Cyclescheme. We also offer an Employee Assistance Programme through Care first including counselling services to ensure that our staff are looked after and supported.

Alpha Academies 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’re 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 HR/Recruitment 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 Resilience in a culture of 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 HR/Recruitment Team by email at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk

Visits to our Academy are warmly welcomed, please contact the Academy to arrange a mutually convenient appointment. 

Closing Date for this Post: Monday 9^th June 2025 at 9:00am

Interview Date: To be confirmed