Lead Teacher - Secondary Nurture and Communication (Maternity Cover)

Acorn Care and Education; Telford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialist education provider is looking for a Lead Teacher for Secondary Nurture and Communication at Lamledge School. This fixed-term role requires Qualified Teacher Status and experience with students who have complex needs. The position is full-time with an annual salary up to £45,000, offering a unique 4-Day Working Week trial, prioritizing work-life balance and well-being.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience of teaching pupils with complex additional needs.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum planning, particularly in nurture-based and communication-focused approaches.
• Experience in a leadership or coordination role within an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development and delivery of a high-quality, inclusive Nurture and Communication curriculum.
• Plan and implement person-centred programmes of study that meet the individual needs of pupils.
• Mentor and support colleagues in their professional development.

Skills

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Teaching pupils with complex additional needs

Curriculum planning knowledge

Leadership experience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Overview

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Lead Teacher - Secondary Nurture and Communication (Maternity Cover)
Location: Lamledge School, Shifnal TF11 8SD
Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Fixed-Term, Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

Are you a passionate and experienced educator ready to take the lead in shaping inclusive, person-centred education? We are seeking a Lead Teacher to join Lamledge School on a fixed-term maternity cover basis, leading our Secondary Nurture and Communication & Interaction provision.

This is a unique opportunity to guide a specialist curriculum for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 with a range of complex needs, including:

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
• Communication and Interaction (C&I)
• Sensory and Physical (S&P)
• Cognition and Learning (C&L)

Job Responsibilities

• Drive the development and delivery of a high-quality, inclusive Nurture and Communication & Interaction curriculum
• Plan and implement flexible, person-centred programmes of study that meet the individual needs of pupils
• Champion excellence in teaching and learning, modelling best practices and high expectations
• Lead the planning and coordination of schemes of work within your area, ensuring coherence and progression
• Mentor and support colleagues in their professional development, especially in curriculum planning, assessment, and target setting
• Stay up to date with local and national curriculum developments to ensure innovation and relevance
• Work collaboratively with the Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, wider leadership team, and external stakeholders to secure high standards across the school

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Proven experience of teaching pupils with complex additional needs
• Strong knowledge of curriculum planning, particularly in nurture-based and communication-focused approaches
• Experience in a leadership or coordination role within an educational setting
• Excellent interpersonal and mentoring skills
• A proactive, reflective, and collaborative approach

About Us

Lamledge School provides specialist education to pupils with social, emotional and behaviour difficulties. We are within a commutable distance of Telford, Dudley, Stourbridge, Shrewsbury, Stone, Walsall, Wolverhampton and surrounding towns. We are looking to expand our staff team and we hope that we can find the perfect person to join the Lamledge team.

We are a small school on the outskirts of Shifnal with stunning grounds and rolling countryside surrounding us. Our staff are dedicated to delivering education in a therapeutic and trauma informed way.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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