Secondary Teacher

Acorn Care and Education; Tapton; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider is looking for a dedicated SEND Secondary Teacher to join a new school opening in January 2026. This role involves leading curriculum areas and supporting students with complex needs. Ideal candidates will have a QTS and experience with SEN/SEMH pupils. The position offers a competitive salary of £35,000 per year and promotes a 4-day work week for better work-life balance.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Discount options

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent is mandatory.
• Experience or interest in SEN/SEMH education is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specific curriculum area and design tailored learning experiences.
• Mentor and support KS4 staff.
• Work with support staff to assist pupils.
• Provide feedback to monitor pupil progress.
• Promote a positive learning environment.

Skills

Experience with SEN/SEMH pupils

Strong communication skills

Collaboration skills

Adaptability in teaching strategies

Education

UK QTS or equivalent

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 details

Job Title: SEND Secondary Teacher

Location: Bluebank School, Whittington Moor, Derbyshire, S41 8LQ

Salary: £35,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start: January 2026

About the role

We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for an inspiring, dynamic, and committed Teacher to join Bluebank School, a new Acorn Education provision opening in January 2026. This co-educational school will support up to 60 pupils aged 5–18 with complex needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.

Responsibilities

• Lead in a particular curriculum area, developing engaging and creative learning experiences tailored to pupils’ individual educational needs.
• Support KS4 staff by providing guidance, feedback, and mentorship.
• Work collaboratively with support staff to ensure pupils receive the assistance they need.
• Provide feedback to Senior Leadership Team (SLT), parents, and carers to monitor and enhance pupil progress.
• Support pupils who may display challenging behaviours due to their additional needs.
• Actively promote the school’s vision and values and contribute to a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Requirements

• UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or equivalent.
• Experience or interest in working with SEN/SEMH pupils in a secondary setting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of a diverse pupil cohort.

Supporting Statement Guidance

Please include a short statement telling us:

• A little about yourself and why you are interested in this position.
• Why you believe you are suitable for the role, referring to the job description.
• Details of your relevant skills and experience.
• How you would contribute to the role and the school if appointed.

About us

Bluebank School is a brand-new Acorn Education provision set to open in January 2026 in Whittington Moor, Derbyshire. The co-educational school will cater for up to 60 pupils aged 5 to 18, offering specialist support for children and young people with complex needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 proud to be recognised in 2024 as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth 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 knowing your role will positively impact lives. 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 will undergo 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 mental health support services and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of discount options
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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

4DWW will be rolled out within our school when we have a full complement of staff, so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

Compliance

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. All stages of the process are subject to safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.