Classroom Teacher

Classroom Teachers
Ref: LA0582

Springwell Leeds Academy
East, South and North sites
Permanent Contract - Required from September 2018
(Some posts maybe available before if convenient)

• Do you want to make a really difference to some of the most vulnerable students in the city?
• Work at a brand new bespoke SEMH provision?
• Be part of the 45 million pound wider development of the academy across the city?
• Move away from the restrictions of a mainstream pathway?
• Have a passion for creative teaching and to be allowed the space to develop individuals with a more flexible curriculum than mainstream?

We require a number of exceptional teachers across several of our sites who are passionate about providing the best possible education and care for vulnerable students. You will be based one of our newly built SEMH buildings that have opened this year which is part of a wider 45 million pound investment across the city. As we are a nurture based provision we follow a primary based model and as such these posts may be suitable for both secondary and Key Stage 2 practitioners. Subject specialism is not important as we deliver a thematic project based curriculum with specialists delivering subjects such as music and technology. This is an exciting opportunity to get back to teaching children and play a significant part of their overall development.

Springwell Leeds Academy is a new all through special school from key stage 1 to key stage 4 and as such, there is great potential for both support, professional development and promotion.  All of our sites operate in line with best practise in an SEMH provision, which is a nurturing type curriculum model with significant investment in therapeutic and wrap around support for our students. These sites educate students from year 6 to year 11 so there is plenty of flexibility for staff to be deployed where their skills best suit.

This position would suit a teacher with a proven track record of exceptional practice, who is able to work with vulnerable pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). It would suit an individual who is passionate about making a real difference to student’s life chances and supporting them in achieving their potential in essential life skills, which is a high priority for Springwell Leeds.  The ability to be creative and use imaginative flair to engage is essential, along with having resilience, drive and high expectations to inspire students to achieve. As we are a growing Academy it may also provide an opportunity of further leadership opportunities in the future.

About us

Springwell Leeds is a new provision for the city, which we will be developing across Leeds on three different sites over the next eighteen months.

Our aim is to provide the best possible care and education that we can for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Unconditional Positive Regard is at the centre of what we do and we are creating an academy that is welcoming, caring, safe, warm and believes that all its pupils can be supported and empowered to succeed. We are creating individual and personalised pathways for our students that are built around their varied needs which will help them achieve positive outcomes and prepare them for their onward destinations into continuing education, work or training. In order to achieve this, we have developed a curriculum that provides opportunities for academic progression as well as vocational learning, whilst being engaging, creative, and innovative.

We see strong relationships as the key to our success – with students, parents, carers and the wider community and we ensure that our academies are welcoming safe places for children to learn and prosper. We believe in working closely with our families and carers and welcome their support, but also realise that at times they will need our support too. We work closely with other agencies and schools to make sure we do all we can to make learning and life the best it possibly can be.

Working in partnership with Leeds City Council, we are building an exciting future and we need like-minded staff to join us in this unique opportunity.
Springwell places a huge emphasis on professional development and invests significantly in staff training at all levels. This means that, although experience of working in an SEMH setting would be an advantage, specialist support and training will be provided for outstanding teachers wishing to make the career-fulfilling move into special education. We already have a number of ex-mainstream teachers who have successfully made this transition.

If you would like to discuss or find out more about this post, please contact Steve Tighe, Executive Vice Principal, in the first instance via email. s.tighe@springwellacademyleeds.org

To apply please submit an application form and covering letter, of no longer than two sides of A4.    The letter should outline why you feel your experience makes you a strong applicant for this exciting opportunity, highlighting areas in which you have shown impact.

The deadline for electronic submissions is Noon Friday 23rd March 2018.
Completed applications should be e-mailed to Sarah Reeder, PA to Executive Principal at s.reeder@springwellacademyleeds.org  

We anticipate that interviews will take place on Thursday 29th March 2018
Useful Links:
http://springwellacademyleeds.org
http://springwelllearningcommunity.co.uk
http://barnsleytsa.net
http://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk

Springwell Leeds is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Check.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.