SEN Class Teacher

Description

Supporting documents

Employer

Location

Salary: Outer London Teachers Main Pay Scale (SP1-SP6) £37,870 to £50,474 per annum plus SEN allowance £2,787 per annum.

For an exceptional candidate an additional recruitment and retention allowance may apply.

Hours: Full time, all year round

Location: Addington Valley Academy, Field Way, New Addington, Croydon

Are you looking for somewhere special to work? Are you looking for somewhere you can help make special happens for students with Autism and severe learning difficulties? Are you new to teaching and looking for somewhere you will be supported and can thrive? Are you an experienced teacher looking for opportunities to develop? Have you considered Addington Valley Academy? This is an exciting opportunity for both mainstream and specialist colleagues to be creative in your approach to fully meet pupils’ needs and to join a school where special really does happen.

Addington Valley Academy is special Free School in Croydon for children and young people with Autism and learning difficulties. The school opened in 2020 and provides 150 places for children and young people aged 4-19 who have autism and social communication, cognitive, sensory and social, emotional, and behavioural needs.

The new purpose designed school is equipped to meet the needs of students and includes sensory gardens, indoor sensory rooms, soft-play area, and a large cookery room along with other facilities to encourage students to learn skills to live independently. Students access specialist support enabling them to learn and achieve in a nurturing and aspirational environment.

Addington Valley Academy is a rewarding and inspirational place to work and the whole school community comes together to create the best possible outcomes for its students.

Addington Valley Academy are seeking to recruit a Class Teacher with Qualified Teacher status, to be responsible for the education and welfare of a designated class or groups of pupils with complex needs on the Autistic Spectrum. You will be a passionate and committed advocate for SEND children and comfortable teaching across the key stages. The school has children aged between 4 – 14 years who work across a pathway system depending on the needs of the children.

Key Responsibilities

-Teach and support pupils with SEN, ASD and SLD

-Implement specialist strategies such as PECS, Attention Autism and TEACCH

-Use positive behaviour management approaches, including Team-Teach

-Contribute to the development of a new SEN provision team

-Engage fully in ongoing professional development and training

Key Requirements

-Passion for teaching and learning

-Drive, enthusiasm and motivation to join a new team

-Creativity in delivering engaging lessons

-Willingness to work with pupils with SEN, including ASD and SLD (experience desirable but not essential)

-Commitment to undertaking CPD including PECS, Team-Teach, Attention Autism and TEACCH

This is an exciting time in the school’s development as we have established ourselves in a newly constructed school building with a fantastic learning environment designed to meet the needs of autistic children. We have exciting plans to expand and are looking for people to join us.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training and development
• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks
• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)
• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental health first aiders
• Scope for career progression across nine college centres, 14 academy schools and Central Teams
• As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into a pension scheme, the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS)which has life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Employee referral scheme
• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness
• Home electronics scheme
• Opportunities for continuing professional development
• A supportive and friendly team
• Employee Car Lease Scheme

Please see attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

To find out more about Addington Valley Academy please visit our school website

Our Trust:

Addington Valley Academy is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Tina McMenamin, the School Business Manager.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that we reserve the right to end the recruitment process early if suitable candidate have applied.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: Wednesday 11th March 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 24th March 2026

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.