Teacher

Harry Watts Academy; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

CPD opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Teacher's Pension or LGPS

Eye tests for DSE

Job summary

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland for autistic pupils aged 5–16 years and is recruiting a Teacher on a fixed-term basis from January 2027. You will deliver lessons, support pupils with additional needs, and work across pathways to meet diverse learner needs.

The successful candidate will hold a DfE-recognised teaching qualification with QTS or equivalent, and demonstrate high expectations of pupil achievement while collaborating with a supportive Prosper Learning

Qualifications

• DfE recognised teaching qualification and QTS or equivalent are required.
• Experience of teaching pupils with additional needs is required.
• High expectations of pupil achievement are expected.

Responsibilities

• Have a strong understanding of curriculum for pupils with additional needs.
• Apply a range of teaching and learning strategies to meet diverse learner needs.
• Be able to manage change and be flexible to meet school needs.
• Ensure safeguarding and DBS requirements are followed.

Skills

Experience of teaching pupils with SEN

High expectations of pupil achievement

Positive and professional demeanor

Education

DfE recognised teaching qualification and QTS or equivalent

Job description

Teacher

Harry Watts Academy, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 5JA

Working pattern

Full time: 32.44 hours per week

Contract type

Fixed term - Until 31.08.2027 - Maternity or parental leave cover

Pay scale

Main Pay Scale M1-M6 £34,069 - £46,940 per annum, plus SEN1 allowance £2,885 per annum (including pay award)

What skills and experience we're looking for

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

• DfE recognised teaching qualification and QTS or equivalent
• Experience of teaching pupils with additional needs
• High expectations of pupil achievement

What the school offers its staff

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of our pupils?

Harry Watts Academy is excited to announce the opportunity for a Teacher to join the team on a fixed term basis, from January 2027.

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

• DfE recognised teaching qualification and QTS or equivalent
• Experience of teaching pupils with additional needs
• High expectations of pupil achievement

As a valued member of our team, you will:

• Have a strong understanding of appropriate curriculum for pupils with additional needs
• Be aware of and apply a range of teaching and learning strategies to ensure the diverse needs of learners are met
• Be able to manage change and be flexible to meet the needs of the school

Please refer to the attached person specification and job description for full details of the requirements of the role.

Sound like the role for you?

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between five and sixteen years. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated.

It is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton. You will therefore be willing to support the teaching and learning of pupils on any of our three pathways on either of our sites.

To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region:

• Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)
• Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)
• Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)
• Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)
• Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.

The successful candidate will be welcomed into the Trust, so if this sounds like the role for you, please don't hesitate to apply.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

We aim to support all of our pupils to achieve and develop in all aspects of their life through our exciting and challenging whole school curriculum. Our ethos is to promote Support and Success Together and we firmly believe that knowing each pupil as an individual is a vital element in supporting their growth and development, within a carefully personalised programme of learning. We could not do this without the ongoing excellent support and joint working with families, professionals and all stakeholders associated with Harry Watts Academy.

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist academy for pupils aged 5 to 16 years. All of our pupils have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex learning difficulties and a respective Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Essential to their growth is our ASC specific environment and our dedicated multi disciplinary staff team, who are highly skilled and trained in ASC specific strategies and delivery.

Our school is a community where everyone feels safe and secure, valued and respected and where we have the shared commitment to providing the very best learning opportunities possible. We have the highest expectations and aspirations for all of our learners and continually seek to develop and grow, in order to ensure that their goals, dreams and potential are realised.

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