Lead SEN Learning Mentor

Horbury Academy is seeking to appoint a dedicated and highly motivated Lead SEN Learning Mentor (Cognitive and Learning) to join our supportive SEND department. The role will involve providing support to the Associate SENDCo and SENDCo in the delivery of curriculum provision and learning support for targeted pupils at risk of significant underachievement. The successful candidate will work closely with pupils who have Cognition and Learning needs, enabling them to access the curriculum, participate fully in lessons, and achieve their full academic and personal potential.

The Lead SEN Learning Mentor will play a key role in removing barriers to learning, implementing targeted interventions, and securing positive outcomes for pupils across a range of identified needs. They will also provide support for pupils with behavioural, social, and emotional needs through small-group interventions, helping to promote positive engagement and improve behaviour for learning.

The postholder will lead and direct Learning Mentors working with pupils who have Cognition and Learning needs, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality interventions which improve pupil achievement. They will act as the main SEND contact within an allocated caseload, fostering strong relationships with families, colleagues, and external agencies to promote inclusion, remove barriers to learning, and enhance the educational experience of pupils with additional learning needs.

The working pattern for this position is 32.52 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.15am to 3.15pm, term time plus 2 INSET days.

This position is temporary to cover maternity leave for up to one year.

The successful candidate will be:

• NVQ Level 4 Qualified or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.

• Experienced in working with vulnerable, disadvantaged or challenged young people.

• Knowledgeable about SEND processes, the National/Foundation Stage curriculum, and relevant learning programmes and intervention strategies.

• Able to demonstrate effective behaviour management skills by using positive behaviour support strategies.

• Capable of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with pupils, colleagues, ad external agencies to support positive outcomes for young people.

About Place Partnership

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care, and education of young people.

Place Partnership was formed in September 2026 following the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education, which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees’ financial, physical and mental wellbeing:

• Membership to either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme

• Technology scheme via SmartTech*

• Access to an extensive discounts platform via ‘Place Plus’

• Access to an industry-leading employee assistance programme (EAP)

• 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through corporate paid healthcare cash plans

• Access to health and wellbeing services, with the ability to claim money back for essential healthcare such as prescriptions, optical and dental care through corporate paid healthcare cash plans

• Cycle-to-work scheme*

• Free, on-site parking at every site

• Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings

* restrictions apply

For full details of our employee benefit package, please see our recruitment pack.

Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact hr@placepartnership.com.

Application forms are available from our vacancies website.

Completed application forms to be returned to hr@placepartnership.com

Closing date: 9.00am on Friday, 9 October 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 12 October 2026.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks of the relevant barred list/prohibition lists.

Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high-quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.

Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.