Sixth Form Vocational Teacher in Carrington

Do you have experience teaching Animal Care, Equine/Horse Care or Dog Grooming and want to use your skills to inspire and prepare young people for their next steps?

Changing Lives Independent School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Sixth Form Vocational Teacher to join our specialist team.

The role will focus specifically on working with our Sixth Form students, delivering engaging and meaningful vocational learning that helps young people develop practical skills, independence, confidence and preparation for adulthood and future employment.

We are seeking someone with experience teaching Animal Care, Horse/Equine Care and/or Dog Grooming. Applicants do not need to have experience across all three areas. We are particularly interested in individuals who can bring practical industry knowledge, enthusiasm and creativity to our post-16 vocational curriculum.

Changing Lives Independent School is a specialist SEND/SEMH school for young people aged 11–19 with EHCPs. Our unique farm-based setting provides excellent opportunities for our Sixth Form students to develop practical and employability skills alongside their wider education.

The Role

The successful candidate will plan and deliver practical and classroom-based vocational learning to Sixth Form students, adapting their approach to meet individual needs and support progression towards adulthood, further education, training and employment.

Depending on your experience, teaching may include:

Animal Care, including animal welfare, husbandry, feeding, health, hygiene and safe handling.

Equine/Horse Care, including grooming, stable management, horse health and welfare, safe handling and practical yard skills.

Dog Grooming, including safe handling, animal welfare, coat care, grooming techniques, hygiene and maintaining a safe working environment.

Delivering engaging practical and theory-based vocational sessions.

Supporting students to work towards appropriate qualifications and recognised outcomes where applicable.

Developing students' employability skills, independence and confidence.

Helping students understand workplace expectations and develop skills for their future.

Adapting teaching to meet individual SEND and SEMH needs.

Supporting students to achieve relevant outcomes identified within their EHCPs.

Assessing and monitoring students' progress and providing constructive feedback.

Maintaining high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and safeguarding.

Working collaboratively with teaching, pastoral and other professionals.

Contributing to the continued development of our Sixth Form vocational curriculum and preparation for adulthood provision.

About You

We would love to hear from candidates who:

Have relevant experience within Animal Care, Equine/Horse Care and/or Dog Grooming.

Have experience teaching, tutoring, training or instructing young people within one or more of these areas.

Hold a relevant vocational or industry qualification.

Are enthusiastic about working with Sixth Form and post-16 students.

Are passionate about preparing young people for adulthood and their future careers.

Can make vocational learning practical, engaging and purposeful.

Can build positive and professional relationships with young people.

Are patient, calm, resilient and able to adapt their approach.

Have high expectations while recognising the individual barriers young people with SEND and SEMH may experience.

Understand the importance of animal welfare and safe working practices.

Are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

Experience of working within SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, specialist education or post-16 education would be advantageous. However, we would also welcome applications from candidates with strong vocational and industry experience alongside experience of teaching, training or instructing others.

What We Can Offer

At Changing Lives Independent School, you will have the opportunity to use your vocational expertise in a unique educational environment.

We offer:

A unique farm-based and therapeutic educational setting.

The opportunity to work specifically with our Sixth Form students.

Opportunities to shape and develop our post-16 vocational curriculum.

The chance to deliver meaningful, practical learning with clear links to students' future aspirations.

A personalised approach to education.

A supportive and committed staff team.

Regular professional development and training.

The opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's confidence, independence and future opportunities.

Who We Are Looking For

Above all, we are looking for someone who can inspire our Sixth Form students and share their passion for animals and vocational learning.

You might currently be working as an Animal Care Tutor, Equine Instructor, Horse Care Tutor, Dog Grooming Tutor, Vocational Instructor, Further Education Lecturer or industry professional with teaching/training experience.

You do not need to specialise in all three areas. If your expertise is in Animal Care, Equine/Horse Care or Dog Grooming, we would be interested in hearing from you.

Safeguarding

Changing Lives Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates.

If you are passionate about vocational education and want to help our Sixth Form students develop the skills, confidence and independence they need for adulthood and their future careers, we would love to hear from you.

• Nursery Farm, Isherwood Road, Manchester

At Changing Lives Independent School, our vision is to nurture a vibrant, inclusive learning community where every student thrives through the values of kindness, respect, and resilience.

Changing Lives Independent School is a small, nurturing independent SEND provision located in Carrington, Trafford. We currently support 67 students from Years 7 to 14, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our mission is to provide a highly personalised, engaging and aspirational education that equips young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed in adulthood. We achieve this through a carefully designed curriculum that combines academic learning, practical experiences and real-world opportunities, enabling every student to discover their strengths and fulfil their potential.

We specialise in supporting students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and recognise that positive relationships, wellbeing and emotional regulation are fundamental to successful learning. Our therapeutic approach is embedded throughout school life and is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student.

A distinctive feature of our provision is our animal-assisted learning programme. Through regular opportunities to work with horses and a variety of small animals, students develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and communication skills. These meaningful experiences help foster positive relationships, enhance engagement and support students' personal growth.

Our curriculum is the vehicle through which students thrive. It is carefully structured to develop knowledge, understanding and transferable skills while simultaneously nurturing confidence, independence and resilience. We place a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, communication and oracy across all curriculum areas, ensuring students are well prepared for their next stage of education, employment or independent living.

As part of our commitment to preparing students for life beyond school, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that supports students to become active citizens who can contribute positively to their communities and flourish in modern Britain. Personal development is at the heart of our provision, encompassing Citizenship, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), British Values, careers education, character development, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural learning.

Our curriculum is further enriched through a comprehensive vocational offer, outdoor learning opportunities and practical life skills programmes, community days and charity events. These experiences enable students to apply their learning in meaningful contexts, develop independence and gain the confidence needed to navigate adult life successfully.

With small class sizes, exceptional pastoral support and a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, we provide a safe, inclusive and ambitious learning environment where every student is known, valued and empowered to achieve both their personal and academic goals.

• Your application must include a personal statement which outlines your experience, achievements and skills referenced against the job description and person specification.
• Incomplete applications may not be considered.
• CVs will not be accepted.
• All application forms must disclose full employment history and qualifications.
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Safeguarding Statement

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), online searches will be carried out on shortlisted candidates.

Shortlisted applicants will also be required to complete a self-disclosure declaration regarding any relevant convictions, cautions or other matters that may affect their suitability to work with children.

Roles in our school are exempt the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and other statutory pre-employment checks. It is an offence to apply for roles in our school if you are barred from working with children.

Additional checks may be required for those who have lived or worked overseas.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and pre-employment clearances.

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