SEND Class Teacher

Sherwood Foundation School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwood Foundation School in the London Borough of Sutton is seeking a dedicated SEND Class Teacher to work with children and young people aged 3–19 with severe, multiple and complex learning difficulties. You will teach across our three campuses, delivering differentiated lessons and coordinating with therapists and care teams.

The role requires a recognised teaching qualification (QTS/QLTS or equivalent), experience with PMLD/SLD/ASD, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• QTS or equivalent qualifications with eligible teaching status.
• Experience teaching pupils with PMLD, SLD, ASD and complex SEND.
• Strong knowledge of sensory curriculum approaches and communication-focused teaching.
• Experience supporting pupils with physical disabilities and medical needs.
• Familiarity with assistive technologies and alternative communication methods.
• Compassionate and adaptable teaching approach.
• Excellent collaboration with families and external professionals.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver differentiated lessons for pupils with PMLD, SLD, autism, sensory needs and medical requirements.
• Develop communication, independence, sensory regulation, social interaction, physical development and emotional well-being.
• Collaborate with speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, support staff and healthcare professionals.
• Utilise Makaton, AAC devices, communication switches and sensory-based approaches.
• Support pupils with complex medical needs including feeding programmes and mobility support.
• Contribute to and review EHCP targets to ensure relevance and achievability.
• Maintain a positive, safe classroom environment; support sensory and emotional regulation.
• Record pupil progress using small-step achievement frameworks.
• Communicate progress with parents and carers, celebrating successes.

Skills

QTS or equivalent

SEND/PMLD experience

Sensory curriculum approaches

Assistive technologies

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent

Tools

Makaton

AAC devices

Job description

Sherwood Foundation School

SEND Class Teacher

Salary: Main Pay Scale M1–UPS3: £37,870–£58,120 plus SEN Allowance (1 or 2 points)

Contract: Full time, Permanent

Closing date: 25 November 2026

Sherwood Foundation School is a Foundation Special School located in the London Borough of Sutton and

made up of three campuses:

Sherwood Hill Campus

Sherwood Hill Campus is a specialist school for autistic learners aged 3–19 years who have multiple and

complex barriers to learning, requiring high levels of support to access education and learning around their

peers. Many of our learners may also have severe learning difficulties and/or struggle to maintain a

regulated state for learning.

Sherwood Park Campus

Sherwood Park Campus is a specialist school for learners aged 3–19 years who have severe, multiple and

complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes learners who have highly complex access

needs resulting from their physical and/or health conditions. All learners require high levels of adult support

to access learning.

Sherwood Manor Campus

Sherwood Manor Campus is a specialist school primarily for autistic learners aged 11–19 years who have

moderate to severe barriers to learning. Most of our pupils can access a highly adapted formal learning

environment with high levels of adult support. Some of our learners struggle to deal with the demands of an

adult-led learning environment so may need a highly individualised learning offer to meet their academic

potential.

We have high aspirations for all our pupils and we pride ourselves on putting the child at the centre of

everything we do. Our curriculum ensures that our pupils, who come from a wide range of backgrounds,

have exceptional opportunities to excel and access exciting opportunities in school, and beyond school, to

develop their physical, social and emotional well-being.

All staff are expected to work across campuses when required. Candidates are welcome to indicate a site

preference on their application form; this preference should be based on where you believe your skills and

experience best align with the needs of the learners.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a dedicated and compassionate teacher with a passion for supporting children and young people aged 3 to 19 years who have severe, multiple and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes learners who have highly complex access needs resulting from their physical and/or health conditions. All learners require high levels of adult support to access learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons tailored to pupils with PMLD, SLD, autism, sensory processing needs, and complex medical requirements
• Focus on developing communication, independence, sensory regulation, social interaction, physical development, and emotional well-being
• Work alongside speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, support assistants, and healthcare professionals
• Use assistive communication tools including Makaton, AAC devices, communication switches, and sensory-based approaches
• Support pupils with complex medical needs including feeding programmes, mobility support, positioning, wheelchair use, and personal care routines in line with care plans
• Contribute to and review Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring all targets are relevant, measurable, and achievable
• Maintain a positive, safe classroom environment, supporting learners with sensory and emotional regulation
• Record and monitor pupil progress using small-step achievement frameworks
• Communicate effectively with parents and carers, keeping them updated on progress and celebrating successes

What We’re Looking For

• A recognised teaching qualification (QTS, QTLS, or equivalent)
• Experience teaching pupils with PMLD, SLD, ASD, and complex SEND needs within a special school environment
• Strong knowledge of sensory curriculum approaches, intensive interaction, and communication-focused teaching strategies
• Experience supporting pupils with physical disabilities, complex medical needs, and personal care requirements
• Knowledge of assistive technologies and alternative communication methods
• A compassionate and adaptable teaching approach with a strong understanding of sensory learning and therapeutic practice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with staff, families, and external professionals

Safeguarding Recruitment Statement

Sherwood Foundation School is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare

of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this

commitment. All appointments are made subject to receipt of a completed application, satisfactory

references and an Enhanced DBS check.

Please note applicants must demonstrate how they meet all sections and subsections of the person

specification for this role.

Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire - completion required

All applicants must also complete the Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire by the application closing

date, in addition to submitting their application.

Complete the Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire

Closing Date for Applications: 12pm on 25 November 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 7 December 2026