Special Education Teacher

Wellspring Academy Trust; Gatley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Joseph Norton Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, seeks a dedicated Classroom Teacher to deliver a nurture-focused SEMH curriculum at our Huddersfield site. Start date: January 2027.

You will lead core and thematic teaching in a specialist setting, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to tailor learning and promote pupil inclusion. You will join a supportive network within the Trust, contributing to continuous professional growth and ensuring high standards of care and education

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/ QTLS) is essential.
• Experience teaching a broad curriculum to pupils with barriers to learning.
• Knowledge of SEN pedagogy, inclusion strategies and SEMH legislation.
• Strong communication, teamwork and resilience.
• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Willingness to undertake Team Teach training.

Responsibilities

• Nurturing Environment: create a safe, stimulating setting with a nurture approach.
• Creative Curriculum Delivery: deliver a broad, themed curriculum tailored to needs.
• Targeted Assessment: analyse pupil data, track progress and set targets.
• Pastoral & Behaviour Leadership: manage behaviour with unconditional positive regard.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Resilience

Behaviour management

Education

QTS / QTLS

Advanced SEN qualification

Job description

Classroom Teacher – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)

Start date: January 2027

Location: Busker Lane, Scissett, Huddersfield until we move to our brand New School in Deighton.

Are you an inspirational educator with the resilience, creativity and empathy to transform young lives?

Joseph Norton Academy is seeking a dedicated Classroom Teacher to deliver a dynamic, nurture-focused curriculum for pupils with SEMH needs.

Joseph Norton Academy is part of the Special Provision Partnership within Wellspring Academy Trust. Our aim is to provide the best possible care and education that we can for children and young people with SEMH needs. Unconditional Positive Regard and Restorative Practice are at the centre of what we do, and we are an academy that is welcoming, caring, safe, warm and believes that all its pupils can be supported and empowered to succeed.

In this role, you will lead core and thematic curriculum delivery in a specialist setting, building positive professional relationships grounded in unconditional positive regard. You will work alongside a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team to deliver personalised learning packages, remove barriers to learning, and support pupil inclusion and progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Nurturing Environment: Provide a safe, secure, and stimulating educational setting where diversity is valued, based on nurture principles and restorative practice.
• Creative Curriculum Delivery: Plan and teach a broad and balanced thematic curriculum tailored to pupils' academic, special, and personal needs, including embedding appropriate qualifications.
• Targeted Assessment: Make accurate use of assessment, analysing pupil data to track progress, set clear targets, and produce individual learning plans.
• Pastoral & Behaviour Leadership: Set high expectations for pupil behaviour using unconditional positive regard, manage challenging behaviours constructively, and work effectively with support staff, parents, and carers.

Requirements

• Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS / QTLS) is essential. (An advanced qualification in SEN is desirable).
• Experience: Successful experience of teaching a broad and relevant curriculum and developing engaging lessons for young people with barriers to learning.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of pedagogic approaches for SEN pupils, inclusion strategies, SEMH legislation, and methods to manage challenging behaviours.
• Core Skills: Outstanding oral and written communication skills, innovative thinking, strong teamworking abilities, and high levels of personal resilience.
• Other Requirements: A full driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes (including transporting pupils subject to risk assessments), and a willingness to undergo Team Teach training.

This position would suit individuals who are passionate about making a real difference to students' life chances and supporting them in achieving their potential through essential life skills and qualifications.

Why Join Us? At Joseph Norton Academy, you will play a key role in developing pedagogy that directly impacts young people's social and emotional wellbeing. As part of the Special Provision Partnership and Wellspring Academy Trust, we offer a supportive, highly collaborative working environment committed to your continuous professional growth.

If you would like to discuss or find out more about this post, please contact Sarah Sumersall-Frith, Deputy Head of School at Joseph Norton Academy, via email [e-mail].

Closing date for applications is 8:00am, Wednesday 13th October 2026.

Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview.

Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.

If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.