Pre-Formal Primary Teacher

Overview

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Pre-Formal Primary Teacher

Location: Heath Farm School, Ashford, Kent TN27 0AX

Salary: Up to £42,000.00 per annum depending on experience (Not pro rata)

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover until August 2026), Term Time only

Start Date: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the role

As a Pre-Formal Primary Teacher, you’ll bring learning to life for pupils with complex needs, helping them to grow in confidence, communication, and independence. You’ll create rich, sensory-based learning experiences that nurture curiosity and celebrate progress in all its forms — big and small. Working alongside a talented multi-disciplinary team, you’ll ensure every pupil is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

In This Role, You Will:

• Design and deliver creative, individualised lessons that spark engagement and joy
• Support each pupil’s academic, social, and emotional development
• Foster a safe, nurturing environment where pupils feel valued and confident
• Collaborate closely with families, therapists, and colleagues for joined-up learning
• Contribute to innovative teaching strategies and exciting whole-school initiatives

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a teacher who brings patience, imagination, and resilience to every day — someone who finds joy in every breakthrough and believes that success looks different for every child.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• A passion for supporting pupils with complex needs and diverse learning styles
• Creativity, compassion, and confidence in adapting your teaching approach
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous growth

About Us

Heath Farm is an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every pupil can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for primary pupils through to the relaxed working environment of the specialist College Provision, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.

Our pupils present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.