Teacher

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking an experienced KS2 practitioner to support learners aged 10–18 with SEMH needs at Aycliffe Secure Centre. The role focuses on primary pedagogy and flexible teaching across subjects, especially English and Maths, with strong emphasis on planning engaging sessions and enabling accreditation progress.

You will join a supportive multidisciplinary team, collaborating to provide a trauma-informed, aspirational environment and foster positive outcomes for young people.

Qualifications

• Experience as a KS2 practitioner with SEMH needs.
• Ability to help learners progress in learning and development.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building within a team.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging sessions for learners.
• Support learners to work towards recognised accreditation.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop the vocational curriculum.
• Participate in safeguarding processes and DBS requirements when needed.

Skills

KS2 experience

SEMH experience

English focus

Maths focus

Job description

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The team at Aycliffe Secure Centre provide a caring, trauma informed and aspirational environment for young people aged between 10 and 18. Our young people are accommodated under a welfare or criminal justice order and have faced many adversities, including neglect, trauma, relationship breakdown and criminal proceedings. As a result, you will be working with young people with complex needs and behaviours including violence and aggression. Our job is to provide them with a safe and caring home and school, to support them to develop the relationships and skills that will help them towards a positive and successful future.

The multidisciplinary team at the centre work collaboratively together and with external professionals and families to create an experience for young people that results in a successful and safe transition into a community home.

Find out more about our exceptional facilities and testimonies from our team on our webpage

The majority of our young people have had poor educational experiences, and their social, emotional, mental health and developmental needs have overwhelmed their capacity to learn and participate successfully in school. Many arrive with fragmented educational histories and deeply entrenched negative views of education. Through high expectations, strong relationships and personalised learning, we help young people rediscover their strengths, rebuild their confidence and realise their potential.

To complement our existing team of KS3 and KS4 specialists, we are seeking an experienced KS2 practitioner who can bring expertise in primary pedagogy and provide flexible teaching across a range of subjects, with a particular focus on English and Maths.

Full support will be given to support you in this role to become effective at planning and delivering engaging sessions for young people and supporting them to work towards recognised accreditation.

You will collaborate with colleagues across the team and contribute to the ongoing development of the vocational curriculum.

We encourage potential applicants to attend one of two online sessions where senior leaders will give a detailed overview of the provision and respond to questions about the service:

Tuesday 6th October, 4.15-5pm

Wednesday 14th October, 4.15-5pm

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You will need experience as a Key Stage 2 practitioner working with learners with social, emotional and/or mental health needs.

You will need to be able to demonstrate your experience in working with learners with complex needs, specifically social, emotional and mental health and that you have been successful in ensuring they make progress.

As part of a strong and supportive team, you will build positive and respectful relationships with learners and play a key role in supporting their development.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation.

INTERVIEWS

It is expected that interviews will be held week commencing 2nd November 2026. There will be an opportunity for shortlisted candidates to attend a visit to the Centre prior to interview.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £32,916 – £51,048 MPS1 – UPS3

Location: Newton Aycliffe, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant