Secondary Teacher - Local SEND School
Location: Dorking, Surrey
Working Hours: 08:20 am - 16:00 pm.
Salary: MPS
Are you a dedicated and compassionate educator with a passion for working with secondary-aged students with special educational needs? We are seeking a skilled Special Needs Teacher to work primarily across Key Stages 3 and 4, delivering tailored education that empowers our students to achieve their full potential.
This is a rewarding opportunity to inspire and support young people in a school environment that values inclusion, collaboration, and holistic development.
At the school, we are dedicated to providing a supportive, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment for secondary-aged students with special educational needs. The school is a place where every student is valued, nurtured, and challenged to achieve their best-academically, socially, and personally.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and Deliver Tailored Lessons: Create engaging and differentiated lesson plans that meet the diverse needs and abilities of your students.
- Support Academic and Personal Growth: Develop students' knowledge, skills, and confidence to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Develop and Review Individual Education Plans (IEPs): Work with teaching assistants, parents, and external professionals to create and evaluate personalised learning goals.
- Prepare Students for the Future: Focus on life skills, functional learning, and preparation for further education, employment, or independence.
- Monitor and Assess Progress: Regularly track and document student development, adapting teaching methods as needed to support continuous progress.
- Create a Safe Learning Environment: Foster a positive, inclusive classroom culture that promotes respect, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
- Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with colleagues, therapists, and other professionals to provide holistic support for your students.
Qualifications and Skills Required
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.
- Experience or a specialist qualification in SEN teaching (desirable).
- A solid understanding of secondary curriculum requirements and how to adapt them for SEN students, particularly at KS3 and KS4 levels.
- Knowledge and experience of supporting students with a range of needs, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), or social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
- Creativity, patience, and resilience to navigate the challenges of teaching SEN students.
- Familiarity with assistive technologies and alternative communication methods (e.g., Makaton, PECs) is an advantage.
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students.
What Makes a Successful Secondary Special Needs Teacher?
- Empathy and Understanding: A deep commitment to recognising and supporting the unique needs of SEN students.
- Adaptability: The ability to tailor teaching methods and resources to suit varied learning styles and challenges.
- Collaboration: A proactive approach to working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Passion for Inclusion: A strong belief in the potential of every student and a dedication to creating a culture of acceptance and respect.
- Vision and Drive: A commitment to preparing students for their next steps, whether in further education, work, or independent living.
