Primary SEMH/Autism Teacher

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

Job summary

A leading educational provider in Leigh is seeking a Primary SEMH/Autism Teacher to deliver engaging lessons and support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. The role involves planning creative lessons, addressing individual learning needs, and building relationships to foster engagement and confidence. The ideal candidate will hold a UK QTS and have experience with SEMH and autism. This is a permanent position with a salary of £39,000 and offers a 4-day working week initiative, enhancing work-life balance.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme options

Wellbeing support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Must possess UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Relevant degree and PGCE are essential.
• Proven experience with SEMH or autism in teaching is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver tailored lessons for pupils with SEMH needs.
• Teach core subjects, including English and Maths.
• Build trusting relationships with students to support engagement.

Skills

Teaching pupils with SEMH

Creative approach to learning

Communication skills

Teamwork skills

Patience

Education

Degree in a relevant subject and PGCE or equivalent

UK QTS (fully qualified teacher)

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. Our school will adopt the 4DWW once we have a full team in place — and with the rollout already underway across the wider Group, now is the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Primary SEMH/Autism Teacher

Location: The Holden School, Leigh, WN7 4SB

Salary: £39,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm | Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: December 2025

UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

About the Role

In this role, you’ll plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons that meet the individual needs of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated learning differences. You’ll create a nurturing classroom environment that promotes confidence, curiosity, and independence, helping pupils to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. You’ll also play a key role in supporting emotional regulation and wellbeing, working collaboratively with the wider school team, parents, and external professionals to ensure a consistent, holistic approach to each learner’s development.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high-quality, creative lessons tailored to pupils’ individual learning needs across EYFS to KS2 levels.
• Teach core subjects—English and Maths—as well as supporting other areas of the curriculum.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils to support engagement, confidence, and emotional resilience.
• Monitor, assess, and record pupil progress, providing regular feedback and adapting teaching accordingly.
• Contribute to and maintain Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and participate in EHCP reviews, ensuring each pupil’s needs are effectively met.
• Support the development of timetables, interventions, and strategies that promote positive behaviour and consistent progress.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team, families, and other professionals to support each pupil’s holistic development.

What We’re Looking For

• UK QTS (fully qualified teacher – this role is not suitable for ECTs).
• A degree in a relevant subject and PGCE or equivalent qualification.
• Proven experience teaching pupils with SEMH, autism or additional needs, ideally across primary age ranges.
• Strong subject knowledge, particularly in English and Maths.
• A creative, flexible approach to teaching and learning.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A calm, patient, and reflective practitioner who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment.

If you’re passionate about helping young people find confidence and joy in learning, we’d love to welcome you to our team.

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.

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

• 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.

*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.