PE Teacher

Acorn Care and Education; Leigh; On-site; GBP 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of specialized education in Leigh is seeking a passionate PE Teacher to join their team at The Holden School. This role offers an innovative 4-Day Working Week, allowing instructors to maintain work-life balance while providing exceptional support for students with SEMH needs. Candidates should possess UK QTS and a creative teaching style. With comprehensive benefits and a focus on wellbeing, this position aims tomake a positive impact on young lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellness support services

Flexible benefits platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience teaching PE, ideally with young people who have SEN or SEMH needs.
• Creative, adaptable teaching style.
• Strong behaviour management focusing on relationships and trust.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, inclusive PE lessons that inspire participation and progress.
• Collaborate with colleagues, therapists, and LSAs for joined-up support.
• Lead enrichment opportunities that get students active and thriving.

Skills

Empathy

Energy

Behaviour management

Adaptability

Education

UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or equivalent

Job description

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: PE Teacher
Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB
Salary: £39,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.

At The Holden School, part of Acorn Education, we believe movement is more than just sport — it’s confidence, connection, and wellbeing. We’re a specialist SEMH school supporting young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs, and we’re looking for an exceptional PE Teacher to harness the power of movement to unlock confidence, calm, and capability.

About the Role

As our new PE Teacher, you’ll do more than deliver lessons — you’ll open doors, inspire belief, and help build healthier futures for every student. This is your chance to bring energy, creativity, and compassion into every session — using movement to spark confidence, teamwork, and joy. You’ll be part of a passionate team that celebrates every small victory and helps young people discover what they’re capable of — on and off the field. At our school, PE isn’t just about fitness; it’s about belonging, resilience, and personal growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, inclusive PE lessons that inspire participation and progress.
• Use sport and activity to promote confidence, emotional wellbeing, and teamwork.
• Support learners with autism, ADHD and SEMH needs through adaptive, relational teaching.
• Collaborate with colleagues, therapists, and LSAs to create joined-up support for every child.
• Lead enrichment opportunities — from fixtures to outdoor adventures — that get students active and thriving.
• Be a positive role model, championing healthy lifestyles, perseverance and self-belief.

Who We’re Looking For

You’re not just a teacher — you’re a motivator, mentor, and natural leader who brings energy, empathy, and an unshakeable belief in every young person’s potential.

• UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or equivalent
• Experience teaching PE — ideally with young people who have SEN or SEMH needs
• A creative, adaptable teaching style
• Strong behaviour management with a focus on relationships and trust
• An understanding of how movement supports mental health and emotional regulation
• A team spirit and a willingness to go the extra mile — every single day

About Us

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialised education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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
• 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.

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

*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.