Secondary SEMH Teacher

We’re not looking for a secondary teacher to support our school. We’re looking for someone who wants to build it.

Hillside Education is a brand‑new 36‑place SEMH provision near Gotham, Nottinghamshire, opening in January 2027. Our first referrals are arriving — young people aged 8 to 16 — and we’re searching for a secondary teacher with strong subject expertise. We’re particularly interested in teachers of English, Science, PSHE, Art and Humanities, though we welcome applications from all subject specialists.

We’re looking for someone who can help bring our values to life. Do we know exactly what those values are yet? No. And that’s the point.

We want someone energised by the opportunity to define them. Someone who wants to co‑create a culture with colleagues and young people rather than inherit one that’s been gathering dust for twenty years.

We have no inherited systems. No ancient staff handbook. No behaviour policy written when dinosaurs roamed the earth. We don’t even have a kettle (if you've watched our vimeo, that will make sense.)

What we do have is nearly two acres of blank canvas and the chance to build something special. We won’t pretend it’s easy, building from nothing rarely is. There will be days when you won’t know exactly what comes next… and neither will we. But if that feels exciting rather than intimidating, keep reading.

You’ll embrace innovative ways of engaging young people. You’ll believe that children should be active participants in their learning — not empty vessels waiting to be filled. We’re exploring Project‑Based Learning, and we want educators who feel energised by designing a curriculum that is bold, creative and unapologetically ambitious.

Many of the young people who join Hillside will have experienced exclusion, rejection and disconnection from education. We want to change that.

As we began building the school, we asked ourselves a simple question: “If our school felt like a tribe, what would be different?”

Our answer looked something like this:

• A place where everyone belongs. No exceptions.
• A place where identity comes from contribution, not status.
• A place where young people are known, valued and genuinely needed.
• A place where safety is felt through predictable relationships, calm adults and consistent routines.
• A place where conflict is expected — but repair is non‑negotiable.

If that resonates, we’re already speaking the same language.

We’re not looking for someone to fit into our culture. We’re looking for someone who believes all children can achieve and is ready to help us build that culture.

Our ideal teammate has experience supporting children who have lived through exclusion, trauma, adversity or disconnection from education. You are wholeheartedly committed to relationship‑based and restorative practice — not because you’ve attended the training, but because you believe in it. You understand that behaviour is communication. You stay curious when others become frustrated. You believe that belonging changes lives.

You don’t just value these approaches — you feel them in your core.

If you’ve read this far and you’re still unsure, we’re probably not your school. If you’re excited — and maybe just a little bit daunted — welcome to our world.

We’d love to hear from you.

Please note: As Hillside Education continues to grow, we are recruiting throughout the year and therefore some roles may have multiple start dates.