Classteachers x 3 - New Special School for Autistic Pupils

Job Description

Classteachers x 3 required - Full Time - Permanent

Main or Upper Pay Range plus SEN1 Allowance in accordance with STPCD (MPR1 ECT)

Letter From Headteacher

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in this post. The Hawthorns School opened its doors in January 2023, for children with autism. We are in temporary accommodation, and expanding ready to move into the permanent purpose-built school in January 2025 when we will extend our provision to 50 pupils in KS2 and KS3. Then, in September 2025 we will complete our final stage of growth to 70 pupils which will include KS4.

We have already established a capable, therapeutic and reflective team who prioritise the needs of the pupils through an evolving curriculum with the development of social communication at its core. As we grow, we have further opportunities for teachers to join us. We need high quality teachers for KS3 and KS4 who can lead a subject specialism throughout the school. We are particularly interested in those with experience in:

1. Art with Design and Technology

2. Physical Education and Outdoor Learning (Forest School Lead desirable but not essential)

3. English or Maths in a Special School

You may have expertise in one or some of these areas or in other curriculum subjects. Please do not be deterred from getting in contact with us. Most important to us are: excellent subject knowledge and teaching, flexibility and creativity, team players, playful and good humoured adults who are willing to constantly evolve. Candidates will need to be prepared to take class responsibility.

·Do you share our ethos of kindness, curiosity, integrity and participation?

·Are you someone who embraces a challenge, has a sense of humour and can laugh at the daily absurdities that we face in a new school facing new demands?

This is a unique opportunity to join us in providing a holistic education and environment for pupils with autism, appropriate for their specific needs.

Pupils will be supported to achieve a range of individual, personal and academic goals by a team of teaching, support and therapy staff. We are committed to developing pupil achievement through the aims of personal growth, participation and preparation for adulthood. We need teachers with experience of SEND and autism who are adaptable, imaginative and ambitious for all pupils.

The Hawthorns is one of a community of Special Schools, supported by the well-established and highly regarded SEAX Trust. The Trust respects and trusts each school to evolve its unique identity, whilst providing layers of support and networking at all professional levels.

Best wishes

Diane Rigg

Headteacher, The Hawthorns School

Information about the School

The Hawthorns School is a brand new school for autistic young people in Chelmsford and is the fifth school in the SEAX Trust. The Hawthorns School opened in temporary accommodation in January 2023, and will move into a brand new school building on the old St Peter’s School site, in January 2025.

The provision at the school will cater for pupils who have a diagnosis of autism and will offer a full-time education with a focus on social communication, emotional regulation and relationship-building while, at the same time, offering a broad and balanced range of curriculum subjects, including literacy and numeracy.

Pupils will be aged 7-16 and will have an EHCP. There will be ten residential places available for pupils from Monday to Thursday each school week. These will be managed by the school, will enhance the day curriculum offer and will be available when the school moves to the new site in January 2025.

Our Vision and Ethos for The Hawthorns

We will establish a school which will embody the ethos, vision and values of the SEAX Trust and the other schools in the Trust (Thriftwood School & College, Langham Oaks School, Grove House School and Kingswode Hoe School).

The Hawthorns’ mission:

Our mission is to provide a personalised and imaginative curriculum designed to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to build the basis for a purposeful and fulfilling adult life for young people with autism. Through outstanding teaching and secure relationships, pupils will gain the confidence to communicate effectively, acquire appropriate accreditation for next steps forward, learn core skills for life, develop healthy relationships, self-advocate, contribute to their community and keep themselves safe.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.