Specialist Class Teacher - Sparklers EPU

Teaching Vacancies; Worksop; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Vacancies at Sparken Hill Academy is seeking a qualified teacher with successful experience of teaching pupils with autism or other neurodivergent profiles, ideally in EYFS or Key Stage 1. A deep understanding of child development and early communication, plus familiarity with TEACCH, PECS, Makaton, and Zones of Regulation, is required.

You will lead a small team of teaching assistants, partner with parents and external agencies, and manage records in line with the SEND Code of

Qualifications

• Qualified teacher with successful experience of teaching pupils with autism or other neurodivergent profiles.
• Strong understanding of child development, early communication and sensory needs, including TEACCH, PECS, Makaton, Intensive Interaction and Zones of Regulation.
• Calm, patient educator who builds trusting relationships and sees strengths in every child.
• Confident team leader who can coach and support teaching assistants.
• Excellent communicator who can partner with parents, carers, colleagues and external agencies.
• Knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, EHC plans and graduated approach, and the ability to manage reviews and records.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coach and support a team of teaching assistants.
• Work in genuine partnership with parents and carers, colleagues, other schools and external agencies.
• Manage reviews, records and paperwork in line with SEND Code of Practice.
• Contribute to building and shaping a new specialist provision with leadership backing.

Skills

Qualified Teacher

Autism experience

Child development

Communication skills

Team leadership

SEND practices

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for:

• A qualified teacher with successful experience of teaching pupils with autism, speech, language and communication needs or other neurodivergent profiles, ideally in EYFS or Key Stage 1.
• A practitioner with a strong understanding of child development, early communication and sensory needs, and of approaches such as TEACCH, Attention Autism, PECS, Makaton, Intensive Interaction and Zones of Regulation (or a real enthusiasm to train in them).
• A calm, patient and neurodiversity-affirming educator who builds trusting relationships and sees the strengths in every child.
• A confident team leader who can direct, coach and support a team of teaching assistants.
• An excellent communicator who can work in genuine partnership with parents and carers, colleagues, other schools and external agencies.
• Someone with a working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, EHC plans and the graduated approach, and the organisational skills to manage reviews, records and paperwork well.
• A commitment to raising standards and ensuring every child reaches their full potential.

What the school offers its staff

• The chance to build and shape a new specialist provision with the full backing of the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
• A dedicated, experienced and welcoming Sparklers team, and a distributed SENCO model with specialist support in every phase.
• Tailored professional development, including specialist training in communication and interaction approaches.
• Supportive, approachable leadership and a strong focus on staff wellbeing.
• Wonderful children, supportive families and a beautiful site.

Commitment to safeguarding

Any job offer at Sparken Hill Academy is contingent upon successful completion of all mandatory background checks to our full satisfaction, including:

• An enhanced DBS criminal record check -- Satisfactory professional references
• Verification of qualifications
• A review of publicly available social media demonstrating conduct aligned with our codes & values

We reserve the right to withdraw an employment offer or terminate a position if background checks or social media screening raise concerns about suitability for working with children. Prospective staff must consent to these checks as a condition of consideration. Visits to the school are strongly encouraged.