The Play Area A jobs in Sheffield

Job Description & Person Specification

Job Title

English Learning Practitioner

Salary

£26,000–£32,000 Full Time Equivalent (FTE), dependent upon experience and qualifications

Salary will be annualised and paid across 12 months in accordance with the agreed contractual working pattern.

Contract

Fixed-Term Contract

Working Pattern

Full-Time – Term Time (39 Weeks Per Year), plus designated compulsory training and professional development days (“Blue Days”) outside term time, up to a maximum equivalent of two additional working weeks per academic year.

Monday–Friday

Responsible To

Head of Curriculum & Operations / Senior Leadership Team

Welcome to MADPro

At Make A Difference Provision (MADPro), we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed regardless of the challenges they have faced.

Our provision is built on high expectations, strong relationships and an unwavering commitment to helping students re-engage with education and realise their potential.

We recognise that exceptional staff create exceptional outcomes. That’s why we invest heavily in professional development, wellbeing and creating a culture where staff feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.

About the Role

The English Learning Practitioner will play a key role in supporting students to re-engage with education through the delivery of high-quality English and literacy learning, targeted interventions, relational practice and consistent day-to-day support within the provision.

The role combines curriculum delivery, literacy development, mentoring and pastoral support to help students overcome barriers to learning, develop confidence and make both academic and personal progress within a nurturing alternative provision environment.

Our students may have SEND and SEMH needs, disrupted experiences of education and significant barriers to learning. We are therefore looking for someone who can build positive professional relationships, understand individual student needs and adapt their teaching and support accordingly.

The role has a particular focus on reading comprehension, functional literacy, written and spoken communication, engagement and positive educational outcomes.

The successful candidate will maintain clear professional boundaries, routines and expectations while contributing positively to the ethos and values of MADPro.

Why Join MADPro?

Working at MADPro is about more than having a job.

It is about becoming part of an ambitious organisation that genuinely changes lives.

As a member of our team you will benefit from:

• Competitive salary.
• Term-time working supporting an excellent work-life balance.
• Vitality Private Health Insurance following successful completion of probation.
• Comprehensive induction programme.
• Access to our Blue Days Professional Development Programme.
• High-quality ongoing CPD.
• A supportive leadership team.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A collaborative and values-driven culture.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference every day.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The English Learning Practitioner will:

• Deliver engaging, accessible and appropriately differentiated English and literacy sessions to students across a range of abilities and needs.
• Adapt learning materials and teaching approaches to meet individual student needs, including SEND and SEMH profiles and students with disrupted experiences of education.
• Support students to develop confidence, resilience, independence and a positive identity as readers, writers, speakers and learners.
• Contribute to the planning, preparation and resourcing of English, literacy, reading comprehension and targeted intervention activities.
• Use appropriate baseline information, assessment and ongoing observation to monitor, record and communicate student progress, engagement and achievement.
• Support students working towards appropriate English, literacy, Functional Skills, GCSE or other accredited qualifications where relevant to their individual pathway.
• Promote high expectations around participation, behaviour, communication and attitudes to learning.
• Promote literacy across the wider curriculum and support students to transfer reading, writing, speaking and communication skills into other areas of learning and everyday life.
• Build positive, consistent and professional relationships with students.
• Act as a positive role model within the provision.
• Support students with emotional regulation, engagement and readiness to learn.
• Carry out student check-ins and provide encouragement and guidance throughout the school day.
• Support the implementation of behaviour support plans, restorative approaches and individual student strategies.
• Help students develop confidence, social skills and emotional resilience.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools and external professionals where appropriate.
• Contribute positively to the therapeutic and relational ethos of the provision.
• Support the smooth day-to-day running of MADPro.
• Maintain consistent routines, boundaries and expectations across the setting.
• Supervise students during transitions, social times, enrichment activities and off-site activities where required.
• Record safeguarding, behaviour and wellbeing concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Contribute positively to team meetings, reflective practice, training and professional development.

Undertake other duties reasonably consistent with the responsibilities and level of the post.

Person Specification

Essential

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience working with students within education, alternative provision, youth work or a similar setting.
• Strong understanding of relational practice and behaviour support approaches.
• Confidence and competence in delivering English and literacy learning activities and interventions, including reading comprehension and written communication.
• Ability to engage and motivate students with a range of additional needs and barriers to learning.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A calm, resilient and adaptable approach.
• Commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practice.
• Ability to establish positive professional relationships whilst maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Commitment to promoting positive academic and personal outcomes for students.

Desirable

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or another relevant teaching qualification.
• A relevant qualification in English, education, teaching and learning or a related field.
• Experience teaching or supporting English and literacy within secondary education, alternative provision or SEMH settings.
• Experience supporting students towards GCSE English Language, Functional Skills or other accredited English/literacy qualifications.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and relational practice.
• Experience supporting students with SEND and/or significant barriers to learning.

We welcome applications from qualified teachers, experienced English practitioners, HLTAs and other education professionals who can demonstrate strong English and literacy knowledge alongside the ability to engage students who may have experienced significant barriers to education.

QTS is desirable but is not essential for this role. MADPro

Induction, Training & Professional Development

At MADPro we believe that investing in our staff leads to better outcomes for our students.

Every new member of staff participates in a comprehensive induction programme, ensuring they feel confident, supported and fully prepared for their role.

The induction includes:

• Safeguarding
• Behaviour systems
• Operational procedures
• Arbor
• CPOMS
• Microsoft 365
• Curriculum and assessment systems
• Role-specific training
• Meetings with key members of staff

Following induction, staff participate in our Blue Days Professional Development Programme.

Blue Days are a key part of our commitment to continuous professional learning, providing dedicated opportunities for:

• Professional development
• Collaborative planning
• Curriculum development
• Best practice sharing
• Training updates
• Reflection
• Developing knowledge and expertise
• Continuous improvement

In addition to the normal 39-week term-time working pattern, the postholder will be required to attend designated compulsory training, development and organisational planning days (“Blue Days”) outside normal term time.

The number and scheduling of Blue Days will be determined annually according to organisational need, up to a maximum equivalent of two additional working weeks per academic year. Reasonable notice will be provided wherever practicable.

We believe that investing in our staff enables us to achieve the very best outcomes for our students.

Safeguarding

The welfare of our students is our highest priority.

The successful applicant will:

• Work in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education and Prevent Duty requirements.
• Promote safeguarding and child protection at all times.
• Follow all MADPro safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Report safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Complete mandatory safeguarding and compliance training.
• Promote a culture where students feel safe, respected and valued.

This post is subject to:

• Enhanced DBS Clearance
• Online Searches
• Satisfactory References
• Right to Work Checks
• Safer Recruitment Procedures

General Responsibilities

All staff are expected to:

• Support the vision, values and ethos of MADPro.
• Comply with all organisational policies, procedures and statutory guidance.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and respect.
• Maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality and professional conduct.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Participate in meetings, reflective practice, training and professional development.
• Contribute positively to the wider life and operational functioning of the provision.

Undertake any reasonable duties consistent with the responsibilities and level of the post.

Our Values

Every member of staff at MADPro is expected to model our core values.

• Professionalism
• We act with integrity, accountability and respect.
• Compassion
• We build positive relationships through empathy, kindness and understanding.
• High Expectations
• We believe every student can succeed.

Teamwork

We work together because collaboration delivers better outcomes.

Growth

We are committed to continual learning, reflection and improvement.

Together, We Make A Difference.

Recruitment Information

Closing Date: 17th September 2026

Interview Date: 1st October 2026

Proposed Start Date: As soon as possible following completion of safer recruitment and pre-employment checks

Equal Opportunities

Make A Difference Provision is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

• We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Pay: £26,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sheffield S9 2AE: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience working with students or young people in education, alternative provision, youth work or a similar setting?
• Do you have experience delivering or supporting English and/or literacy learning?
• Are you able to work full-time, Monday to Friday, during term time and attend designated compulsory training/professional development days outside term time when required?
• Are you willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and all required safer recruitment checks?
• Please briefly outline your experience of supporting students who may have SEND, SEMH needs, disrupted education or barriers to learning, and how you would approach engaging them in English and literacy.

Experience:

• English and literacy teaching or learning support: 1 year (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person