SEND Primary Teacher

SEND TEACHER

Fortitude School, Alcester, Warwickshire
Specialist Primary SEND / SEMH Provision | Ages 5–11

Salary: £28,000–£35,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications
Hours: 8:30am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Could you be the teacher who helps a child believe in school again?

Fortitude School is a small, nurturing independent specialist school in Alcester for primary-aged children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Our pupils are aged 5–11 and have a range of additional needs, including SEMH, autism, ADHD, demand avoidance/PDA profiles, communication needs, sensory differences and experiences of disrupted education.

Many of our children have found previous educational environments difficult. At Fortitude, we provide small classes, high levels of adult support and a relational, trauma-informed and individualised approach to education.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and compassionate SEND Teacher to join our team.

QTS is not essential. However, applicants must have previous experience of working within a SEND school or specialist educational setting.

THE ROLE

You will take responsibility for a small class of pupils, supported by Learning Support Assistants and our wider school team.

Our pupils have very individual learning profiles. You will need to create a classroom that is safe, structured, engaging and flexible, adapting teaching according to pupils' individual communication, sensory, emotional and learning needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and delivering engaging and appropriately differentiated learning.
• Adapting teaching for pupils working at different developmental and academic levels.
• Using EHCP outcomes and individual starting points to inform planning and provision.
• Assessing learning and identifying clear next steps.
• Establishing predictable routines, clear boundaries and consistent expectations.
• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation and engagement with learning.
• Using relational and trauma-informed approaches to behaviour.
• Leading and working effectively alongside classroom support staff.
• Contributing to pupil passports, individual plans, reviews and reports.
• Working positively with parents, carers and external professionals.
• Maintaining high expectations while recognising that progress looks different for every child.
• Contributing to the wider life and continued development of Fortitude School.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?Essential

We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience working within a SEND school or specialist educational setting.
• Has experience supporting and teaching children with additional needs.
• Understands SEND and the barriers some children experience in accessing education.
• Can plan and deliver learning for pupils working at different developmental and academic levels.
• Can adapt learning to meet the needs of the individual child.
• Understands the importance of regulation, communication and sensory needs.
• Can establish clear, consistent and safe boundaries.
• Can remain calm and professional when pupils are distressed or dysregulated.
• Can confidently lead and direct classroom support staff.
• Builds strong and appropriate relationships with children.
• Is organised, reflective, flexible and willing to develop their practice.
• Has a strong understanding of safeguarding.

Desirable

Experience or knowledge of:

• SEMH.
• Autism and ADHD.
• PDA / demand avoidant profiles.
• Trauma and attachment.
• Communication and interaction needs.
• Sensory processing differences.
• EHCPs and individualised provision.
• Trauma-informed and relational practice.
• Primary curriculum teaching.
• Phonics and early reading.
• EYFS and KS1 approaches.

QTS is welcomed but is not an essential requirement.

For us, the right candidate is someone with the SEND experience, knowledge, resilience and values needed to engage our pupils and help them succeed.

WHAT MAKES FORTITUDE DIFFERENT?

We are deliberately small.

Our pupils learn in small groups with high levels of adult support. This enables staff to really know each child and understand what helps them to feel safe, regulate and learn.

Learning at Fortitude does not always happen sitting behind a desk.

Our curriculum combines academic learning with opportunities to develop communication, independence, emotional regulation, relationships, confidence and life skills.

Pupils benefit from practical activities, sensory approaches, outdoor learning and access to our off-site farm provision, where appropriate.

We recognise that progress looks different for every pupil.

For one child, progress might be reading independently. For another, it might be remaining in the classroom, communicating that they need a break, accepting support or successfully returning to learning following dysregulation.

All of this is progress, and all of it matters.

OUR VALUES

Everything we do is underpinned by our three school values:

COURAGE – Having a go, facing challenges and trying again.

COMPASSION – Understanding ourselves and others and treating people with kindness.

COMMITMENT – Keeping going, taking responsibility and working towards our goals.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary of £28,000–£35,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Working hours of 8:30am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
• Small class sizes.
• High levels of classroom support.
• A supportive and approachable leadership team.
• A strong relational and child-centred ethos.
• SEND-focused professional development.
• Opportunities for creative and flexible teaching.
• Outdoor and practical learning opportunities.
• A school where staff know pupils as individuals.
• The opportunity to contribute to a growing specialist provision.
• A team committed to helping children who may previously have struggled to access education.

SAFEGUARDING

Fortitude School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information, identity and right-to-work checks, references and other appropriate pre-employment checks.

Appropriate online searches may also be undertaken for shortlisted candidates as part of the school's safer recruitment process.

JOIN FORTITUDE

Successful SEND teaching is about more than delivering a lesson.

It is about relationships, consistency, creativity, high expectations, clear boundaries and understanding the individual child.

If you have experience working within a SEND school and believe you could bring these qualities to Fortitude, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply

If you have the patience, compassion and Fortitude to support our incredible children, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a short expression of interest to: Mrs Jodie McCracken, Headteacher, [email protected]

Applicants are also welcome to contact the school for an informal conversation about the role. Fortitude School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and safer recruitment procedures.

Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person