Headteacher/Head of school/ Senco/Teacher/Academy Caretaker in Essex

Join Aqua Robson Academy

Location: Walkers House, School Road, Essex CM77 6ST

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Start date: To be confirmed

Closing date: 31st August 2026

Aqua Robson Academy is a specialist educational provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We support learners who may have experienced unmet need, exclusion or placement breakdown, including learners with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, anxiety, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, communication needs and other complex needs.

Our work is founded on a relational, therapeutic and inclusive approach. We believe that behaviour is communication, trust comes before teaching, and reflection comes before reaction. We create safe, calm, accessible and nurturing environments where learners can develop communication, relationships, emotional understanding, social confidence, independence and life skills.

We are recruiting committed, skilled professionals who share our values and want to make a lasting difference.

Salary: £60,000–£80,000 per annum, depending on experience

Reporting to: Board of Trustees / Governors

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a specialist SEND school from inception. As Headteacher / Head of School / SEND Lead, you will provide strategic leadership, operational management and educational direction. You will hold overall accountability for outcomes, culture, safeguarding, compliance and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the academy’s vision, strategy and improvement plan, aligned with its mission and SEND statutory requirements
• Design and oversee a personalised curriculum in which social skills, communication and relationship-building are central to learning
• Create and sustain a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment, leading safeguarding, wellbeing and positive behaviour support
• Provide strategic direction in line with the academy’s ethos and development plan
• Lead a high-quality SEND curriculum across academic and functional pathways
• Ensure EHCP outcomes drive daily practice and learner progress
• Represent the academy to Ofsted, local authorities and multi-agency partners
• Lead, inspire and develop a dedicated staff team within a collaborative, values-driven culture
• Manage resources, compliance and reporting to ensure the academy operates effectively and meets regulatory standards

Essential qualifications and experience

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Proven senior leadership experience in SEND or specialist education
• Expertise in designing learning that builds confidence and life skills
• Experience supporting learners with autism, ADHD and complex needs
• Proven ability to lead teams through relational and therapeutic approaches

Desirable

• NPQH or equivalent
• Postgraduate SEND or leadership qualification
• NASENCo qualification or SEND leadership experience
• Experience in independent, specialist or alternative provision

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Employer pension contribution
• Generous annual leave
• Ongoing professional development and leadership coaching
• The opportunity to shape a specialist SEND provision from inception
• Supportive, values-led governance

Salary: £47,000–£50,000 per annum, depending on experience

Reporting to: Board of Trustees / Governors

We are seeking a highly skilled, passionate and strategic SENDCo to lead and continuously improve our SEND provision. You will shape inclusive practice across the academy and ensure pupils receive high-quality, personalised support that leads to measurable progress, increased independence and positive long-term outcomes.

You will work closely with the Headteacher, staff, families, governors and external professionals. You will ensure compliance with statutory duties, including the SEND Code of Practice and Independent School Standards, while embedding safeguarding and inclusion throughout the academy.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of SEND policy and practice, aligned with the academy motto and SEND Code of Practice
• Coordinate assessments, EHC needs assessments, annual reviews and statutory processes
• Ensure plans contain clear targets for social skills, communication and relationships
• Design personalised provision maps and support strategies that remove barriers to learning, interaction and emotional wellbeing
• Act as expert adviser and trainer for staff in inclusive practice, positive behaviour support and relationship-based approaches
• Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers
• Lead multi-agency work with therapists, psychologists, health and social care teams to provide joined-up support
• Maintain accurate records, track progress and report on impact to improve outcomes for every learner
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils

Essential qualifications and experience

• QTS or equivalent teaching qualification
• National Award for SEN Coordination, or eligibility to complete it promptly
• Deep, current knowledge of SEND legislation, EHCP processes and statutory duties
• Expert understanding of SEND needs including autism, SEMH, speech and language needs and complex needs, and their impact on social interaction
• Proven experience coordinating SEND provision, leading reviews and working effectively with multi-agency teams
• Ability to design support centred on connection, social skills and emotional growth
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with pupils, families, staff and professionals
• Highly organised, thorough and calm under pressure
• Full commitment to the academy mission: “Building Strong Connections and Fostering Social Skills”

What we offer

• A unique, rewarding role in a values-driven specialist academy
• The opportunity to shape provision and make a meaningful, lasting difference to children’s lives
• A supportive, collaborative culture focused on wellbeing and professional growth
• Training and development in therapeutic and inclusive approaches
• Competitive salary package, depending on experience
• A safe, nurturing environment where your expertise is valued and respected

Salary: £32,000–£34,000 per annum

Reporting to: Deputy Headteacher / SEND Lead

As a Teacher, you will plan, deliver and review high-quality, personalised learning tailored to each learner’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), interests and stage of development. You will create a safe, nurturing and sensory-friendly environment where every child feels seen, understood and able to learn and grow.

You will be a creative, resilient practitioner who understands that trust comes before teaching. Working with support staff, therapists, families and external professionals, you will provide holistic support, model academy values and help every pupil prepare for a meaningful future.

Key responsibilities

Teaching, learning and curriculum

• Plan and deliver personalised, differentiated learning aligned with EHCP outcomes
• Embed social skills, communication, emotional regulation, independence and life skills in teaching
• Use evidence-based SEND approaches, including multi-sensory learning, visual supports, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), TEACCH and SCERTS
• Adapt the curriculum, tasks and environment to remove barriers and support access
• Provide safe, meaningful learning that builds confidence, self-esteem and preparation for adulthood

Assessment, recording and progress

• Use the Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle to monitor progress
• Track academic, social, emotional, communication and independence development
• Use observations, work samples, feedback and learner voice to inform planning
• Prepare clear reports and contribute to EHCP reviews
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and use data to improve outcomes

Safeguarding, welfare and behaviour

• Follow safeguarding policies, Keeping Children Safe in Education and the SEND Code of Practice
• Use positive, needs-led behaviour support based on relationships, regulation and repair
• Identify triggers, follow personalised plans and use calm de-escalation strategies
• Apply risk assessments and positive handling procedures safely and with dignity
• Report concerns promptly and promote a safe, inclusive and respectful culture
• Support attendance, engagement and safe supervision across the school day

SEND, inclusion and EHCP delivery

• Understand individual needs, EHCP outcomes, communication styles, sensory preferences and medical requirements
• Keep EHCP outcomes central to planning, teaching and reviews
• Work with therapists to embed therapeutic targets in everyday learning
• Use personalised strategies to support complex needs, anxiety, trauma and disengagement
• Promote inclusion, learner voice, choice and self-advocacy

Teamwork, communication and partnerships

• Work collaboratively with staff, therapists, families and external agencies
• Guide and develop teaching assistants and support staff
• Attend meetings, training and professional development, reflecting on your practice
• Build trusting relationships with parents and carers
• Communicate clearly and accessibly, adapting your style to individual needs
• Support community activities that extend learning beyond the academy

Environment, resources and compliance

• Maintain a safe, organised and sensory-friendly learning environment
• Adapt layout, lighting, sound and resources to meet learner needs
• Create accessible materials and visual supports
• Care for specialist equipment, assistive technology and resources
• Follow health and safety, risk assessment, statutory and academy policies
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to continuous improvement

Essential knowledge, skills and experience

• QTS or equivalent recognised teaching qualification
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, including complex needs, autism, ADHD, SEMH or communication needs
• Strong knowledge of EHCPs, the SEND Code of Practice and safeguarding procedures
• Understanding of child development, attachment, trauma, anxiety and neurodiversity
• Ability to design personalised curricula and implement EHCP outcomes, support plans and risk assessments
• Knowledge of inclusive approaches such as multi-sensory learning, visual communication and PBS
• Excellent communication skills with learners, families and professionals
• A flexible, calm and creative approach, with commitment to teamwork, professional development and academy values

Desirable

• Specialist training or qualifications in SEND, autism, SEMH or inclusive education
• Experience in specialist, alternative or residential provision
• Training in TEACCH, SCERTS, PECS, Makaton, sensory integration or trauma-informed practice
• Experience with PBS, de-escalation, complex needs, EHCP reviews or multi-agency working
• Knowledge of assistive technology, communication aids or staff development

Personal qualities

• Empathetic, patient, calm and supportive
• Creative and adaptable in supporting learning and connection
• Relationship-focused and able to build trust first
• Resilient, reflective and committed to improvement
• Collaborative and respectful of shared contribution
• Professional, ethical and committed to confidentiality and positive role modelling
• Passionate about inclusion and every young person’s potential to learn, progress and achieve

What we offer

• A rewarding role where you can make a real difference every day
• High-quality professional development and specialist training
• A supportive culture focused on staff wellbeing and manageable workloads
• Competitive salary, employer pension contribution and generous annual leave
• A safe, well-resourced environment and the opportunity to help shape a growing organisation

Salary: £25,000–£30,000 per annum, depending on experience

Reporting to: School Administrator

As Academy Caretaker, you will be responsible for the care, maintenance, security, cleanliness and safe operation of the academy’s buildings, grounds, fixtures, fittings and equipment.

This is more than a standard caretaker role. The physical environment directly affects whether our neurodiverse learners feel secure, can regulate their emotions and can engage with learning. You will help ensure that noise, lighting, layout and the overall condition of facilities are managed to reduce anxiety and support wellbeing.

You will work with the Operations Lead, School Administrator, teaching teams and external contractors to ensure the premises are risk assessed, meet statutory standards and are fully suitable for our learners. You will be a visible, reliable and respectful role model within the academy community.