SEN Teacher (Complex Needs / Pre-Formal Pathway) - Guildford

Aspire People; Guildford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire People in Guildford is seeking a passionate SEN Teacher to join a specialist setting. You will lead a class of pupils on a pre-formal developmental pathway, many non-speaking with PMLD/SLD, delivering a communication-led curriculum with AAC and sensory strategies.

Working with a dedicated team of Teaching Assistants and therapists, you will shape individual learning plans, monitor progress, and contribute to EHCP reviews while maintaining safeguarding and pupil-centred practice.

Qualifications

• QTS or equivalent essential.
• Experience with pupils with complex needs (PMLD/SLD) essential.
• Experience using AAC and sensory-based learning approaches.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver a pre-formal and semi-formal curriculum tailored to each pupil's development and communication profile.
• Utilise AAC systems to support non-speaking pupils to engage and learn.
• Apply sensory regulation strategies to promote wellbeing and engagement.
• Track progress using development-based assessment frameworks and inform next steps.
• Lead and direct a team of Teaching Assistants, ensuring high-quality pupil support.
• Support pupils with personal care and physical needs with dignity and sensitivity.
• Contribute to EHCP reviews, pupil progress reporting, and MDT meetings with SLTs, OTs and physiotherapists.
• Build strong relationships with pupils, families, carers and the school community.
• Adhere to safeguarding, health and safety and school policies at all times.

Skills

SEN experience

AAC systems

Sensory regulation

Engagement-based assessment

Team leadership of TAs

Safeguarding awareness

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

SEN Teacher - Guildford

Full Time Position | Immediate Start Available

Location: Guildford, Surrey

Salary: Teachers' Pay Scale + SEN Allowance, dependent on experience

We are delighted to announce an exciting and specialist opportunity for a passionate and experienced SEN Teacher to join a close-knit and highly specialist school community in Guildford, where every member of staff is genuinely valued, supported and empowered to do their best work. This is a genuinely unique role for a teacher who understands that outstanding teaching within a complex needs setting looks very different from adapting a mainstream curriculum and who is excited by that challenge.

This is a deeply rewarding position for a practitioner who is committed to communication-led, pupil-centred teaching, who thrives on building meaningful connections with non-speaking pupils and who takes pride in recognising and celebrating every step of progress, however small.

About the Role:

You will lead a class of pupils working within a pre-formal developmental pathway, many of whom are non-speaking and present with PMLD or SLD profiles. You will design and deliver a highly individualised, communication-led curriculum that prioritises sensory regulation, engagement and developmental progress over chronological age expectations, working alongside a team of dedicated Teaching Assistants and a wider multidisciplinary team including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver a pre-formal and semi-formal curriculum tailored to the individual developmental needs and communication profiles of each pupil
• Use a range of AAC systems and communication approaches to support non-speaking pupils to engage, communicate and access learning
• Apply sensory regulation strategies and sensory-based learning approaches to support pupil engagement and wellbeing
• Use engagement and developmental assessment frameworks to track progress and inform next steps
• Implement Intensive Interaction and other relationship-based approaches to support communication and connection
• Work effectively and collaboratively with a high level of TA support, providing clear direction and guidance to your team
• Support pupils with personal care and physical needs with dignity and sensitivity
• Contribute to EHCP reviews, pupil progress reporting and MDT meetings alongside SLTs, OTs and Physiotherapists
• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, families, carers and the wider school community
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety and school-specific policies at all times

About You:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent - essential
• Experience working with pupils with complex needs, PMLD or SLD profiles - essential
• Confident understanding of pre-formal and semi-formal curriculum approaches
• Experience with AAC systems and a range of communication approaches for non-speaking pupils
• Knowledge of sensory regulation strategies and sensory-based learning
• Familiarity with Intensive Interaction and engagement-based assessment frameworks
• Experience supporting pupils with personal care and physical needs
• Ability to lead and direct a team of Teaching Assistants effectively
• A calm, patient and deeply pupil-centred approach
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with pupils, families and professionals
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all pupils

We recognise this is a highly specialist position and warmly welcome applications from teachers whose experience may not follow a traditional path but who have the right knowledge, values and approach. The right SEN pedagogy and mindset matters far more to us than a conventional CV.