English Lead Teacher

Teaching Personnel; Bristol; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent special school in Bristol is seeking an experienced English Lead Teacher to inspire and support pupils aged 4–11 with complex needs. This role offers a competitive salary, extensive training, and a supportive environment for both staff and students.

Benefits

Full school holidays

Extensive training

Clear progression routes

Comprehensive wellbeing support

Medical cover

Pension options

Flexible benefits

Access to specialist staff

Beautiful school setting

£1,000 referral bonus

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic pupils and those with complex needs.
• Flexible, team-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and train staff on phonics, reading, and writing.
• Deliver an engaging curriculum for pupils aged 4–11 with ASD and SEMH needs.
• Adapt teaching using various communication methods.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Job Advert: English Lead Teacher - SEND Specialist
Salary: Up to £62,771 + TLR (upon completion of probation) + Excellent Benefits
Location: Bristol

Are you ready to lead, inspire and make a meaningful difference?

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate English Lead Teacher to join a well-established independent special school in the heart of Bristol. This role offers the chance to shape the future of English education across Early Years and Primary, in an environment where every small victory is celebrated, and every pupil is supported to thrive.

The Role:
We are seeking a dynamic teacher who can:

• Lead and train staff on phonics, reading, and writing.
• Deliver an engaging and accessible curriculum for pupils aged 4–11 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
• Adapt their teaching using a variety of communication methods (e.g., Makaton, PECS, PODD) to reach non-verbal learners.
• Understand and respond compassionately to challenging behaviour, using strategies like TEACCH and Attention Autism.
• Think creatively to meet the individual needs of every learner.

Who We're Looking For:
You’ll be more than a teacher – you’ll be a motivator, a role model, and a source of unwavering support. You must have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Proven experience working with autistic pupils and those with complex needs
• A flexible, team-oriented approach and a genuine desire to make a difference

Why Join Us?
This is more than a teaching job – it’s a career with purpose. You'll benefit from:

• Up to £62,771 salary + TLR upon successful probation
• Full school holidays and extensive training from day one
• Clear progression routes – many of our leaders were promoted internally
• Comprehensive wellbeing support, medical cover, pension options and flexible benefits
• Access to specialist staff including in-house psychologists, teaching assistants, and therapists
• A beautiful 18th-century school setting, recognised as Good by Ofsted
• A £1,000 referral bonus through our "recommend a friend" scheme

Bring Your Whole Self to Work:
We believe in celebrating the uniqueness of every child – and every team member. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone belongs.

Apply Today:
If you believe in the power of ‘huge small victories’ and want to lead a subject that shapes futures, then we want to hear from you.

For immediate consideration, please apply directly to this advertisement, highlighting your relevant work experience and contact details. Alternatively, submit a CV and covering letter to: .

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.