Teacher (With Essential Experience in Key Stage 1)

The William Henry Smith School is a non-maintained residential special school for boys aged 5-19 experiencing complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health challenges (SEMH). Our students have a breadth of special educational needs, including learning difficulty and disability. We are a not for profit charitable organisation providing ‘Ofsted Outstanding’ education, therapy and care. Our vision is to ensure opportunities for success are provided through a diverse programme of bespoke individual learning pathways and life skills across the 24-hour curriculum which serve to develop resilience and skills for life-long learning, happiness and an improved quality of life. 

We are currently looking to appoint an enthusiastic, passionate and resilient teacher to join our experienced and specialist team. The successful candidate will be an excellent practitioner, may work with individuals who have sensory impairments, speech and language difficulties, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, conditions such as autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, or have a combination of these difficulties. You may also work with gifted and talented individuals. A key aspect of working in this field is identifying individual needs and being responsible for creating a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environm

ent. There is a strong focus on phonics, communication, language, vocabulary and literacy and numeracy. You will need to teach all areas of the primary curriculum, taking responsibility for the progress of a class of primary-age pupils and actively support pupils’ social, emotional and academic development within the 24-hour curriculum.  Be able to develop and adapt conventional teaching methods to meet the individual needs of pupils. Assess pupils who have long or short-term learning difficulties and work with colleagues to identify individual pupils’ needs. Demonstrate excellent collaborative teamworking skills in liaising with professionals within the Speech and Language, Occupational Health and Therapy Team and plan and adapt the environment and resources to suit individual needs. 

The successful candidate will be flexible and adaptable in their approach to make sure they tailor children’s learning pathways to achieve the best possible outcomes for all pupils. Show flexibility, as it’s important to be able to respond to the needs of the children and adapt or change plans accordingly.  You will need to be able to organise learning outside the classroom through learning opportunities, community visits, school outings or other events. Demonstrate the ability to build good relationships based on trust with children and their families/carers. Be highly skilled in behaviour management, with the ability to manage confrontation and challenging behaviour. Teamworking skills to liaise with staff and other professionals is key.

The successful candidate will: 

• Be an outstanding practitioner who provides stimulating learning opportunities within a rich and diverse curriculum 

• Show excellent commitment to work with children with special educational needs

• Facilitate learning by establishing positive relationship with children, keeping learning resources organised and creating a positive learning environment in and out of the classroom

• Demonstrate that your role is to develop and foster the appropriate skills and social abilities to enable the optimum development of children, according to age, ability and aptitude

• Assess and record progress and link children’s’ knowledge to earlier learning and develop ways to encourage it further, challenging and inspiring children to help them deepen their knowledge and understanding  

• Motivate and stimulate a child’s learning abilities, encouraging learning through experience

• Provide pastoral care and support to children within a secure learning environment

• Assist with the development of a child’s personal, social, language and physical coordination abilities

• Develop schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives

• Help children develop curiosity and knowledge

• Ensure the health and safety of children and staff is maintained during all activities, both inside and outside the school setting

• To ensure that Quality of Life underpins all work with students and fellow colleagues

• Have the ability to build good relationships based on trust with children and their families/carers

• Be highly skilled in behaviour management skills, with the ability to manage confrontation and challenging behaviour 

• Show initiative and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrate teamworking skills to liaise with other teachers, teaching assistants, one to one staff and other professionals across the school

• Work with others, to plan and coordinate work both indoors and outdoors

• Share knowledge gained with other practitioners and build and maintain relationships with parents and carers

• Show an observant and responsive approach

• Demonstrate flexibility – it’s important to be able to respond to the needs of the children and adapt or change plans accordingly 

• Possess a positive, energetic and enthusiastic outlook, creative, imaginative and have a sense of humour

• Demonstrate patience, and a caring nature

• Possess good organisational and time-management skills

• Show initiative and supervisory skills and teamworking abilities

• Facilitate and manage Learning Group team meetings

• Attend statutory annual reviews and review education, health and care (EHC) plans

• Keep up to date with changes in the curriculum and developments in best practice

• Have a positive attitude and mind-set, embracing the positive physical and mental health and wellbeing ethos. This includes role modelling self-care and reflection as part of our wider curriculum

• Have the ability to promote and celebrate diversity, collaboration, and equality in the school at all times

In return we offer:

• An attractive salary (dependent on level of experience and qualification)

• A competitive defined contribution pension scheme

• An employee assistance healthcare cashback plan

• Remote Working Technology   

• A full induction programme, including an outstanding network of support 

• A learning and development programme and CPD

• A staff wellbeing programme

• Assistance with childcare savings and cycle to work scheme

• Subscription to Head Space and Perks at Work online apps

•Will pay 50% towards the cost of branded workwear

Special School experience is not essential but a willingness to learn and understand the complex needs of our students, drive, aspiration and achievement and the ability to promote quality of life most certainly is.  The post is non-residential and is subject to school teachers’ pay and conditions.  

As part of the recruitment process, visits to the school are essential. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.