At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and educate pupils with complex needs, tailoring lessons to individual learning plans.
- Company: Join Lift Schools, a diverse network dedicated to providing excellent education for every child.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, well-being cash plan, pension scheme, and lifestyle perks like gym discounts.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in students' lives while working in a supportive and creative environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for teaching and commitment to supporting pupils with PMLD, SLD, and ASD required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours available; visit our school to see our exceptional learning environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
Main Pay Range + Sen Allowance + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Permanent, Full Time or Part Time
September 2025
At Columbus School and College, we are looking for a creative and inspirational teacher to join our specialist team, working with Pupils aged 3 – 19 with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
We have high expectations for all our learners and are profoundly focused on preparing them for the future with a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to their individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), developed in collaboration with parents, carers, and other professionals.
Here's what we can offer you:
- A welcoming, skilled, and dedicated team of leaders, teachers, and staff who are passionate about our pupils.
- A comprehensive induction programme and a supportive mentor to help you quickly settle in, feel a sense of belonging, and achieve success in your role.
- Excellent opportunities for professional development and clear pathways for career progression.
- High levels of support to enhance your teaching practice, including collaborative work with Pioneer Special School in Basildon.
- Concise assessment systems designed to reduce workload, allowing you to focus on improving learning rather than just proving it.
- The chance to work in some of the highest quality learning environments in the country for pupils with special needs, across our two campuses.
- A culture where we want our pupils to be excited about coming to school and to truly love learning, feeling motivated and challenged every day. We achieve this by building precisely on what our pupils already know and can do.
Are you:
- Passionate about delivering outstanding education to pupils with PMLD, SLD and/or ASD?
- Creative and reflective in your teaching approach?
- Committed to making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people?
We welcome applications from those seeking full time or part time hours. If applying for part time, please include your preferred working pattern in your personal statement. We are happy to be flexible with days.
Come and see us in action!
We warmly encourage you to visit our school and experience our exceptional learning environment firsthand. School tours are also available upon request.
Closing date : 3rd August 2025
Who is Lift Schools?
We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child – in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
- Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career.
- Our partnership with One World powers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, including Ambition Institute's Early Career and NPQ offerings, tailored to both individual and network needs.
- Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
- Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Teacher of Complex Needs PMLD, SLD & ASD employer: Columbus School and College
Contact Detail:
Columbus School and College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teacher of Complex Needs PMLD, SLD & ASD
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of pupils with PMLD, SLD, and ASD. Understanding their unique challenges and how to address them will not only enhance your teaching approach but also demonstrate your commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Visit Columbus School and College before applying. Engaging with the environment and observing the teaching methods in action will give you valuable insights that you can reference in your discussions during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former staff members if possible. They can provide you with insider knowledge about the school's culture and expectations, which can be incredibly beneficial when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your creative teaching strategies and how you would tailor lessons to meet individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Highlighting your adaptability and innovative approaches will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Teacher of Complex Needs PMLD, SLD & ASD
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the specific requirements and responsibilities of a Teacher of Complex Needs. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills in working with PMLD, SLD, and ASD.
Craft a Personal Statement: In your personal statement, express your passion for teaching pupils with complex needs. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles and how you plan to contribute to the school's mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail any previous experience you have in special education or working with children with disabilities. Include any training or certifications that are relevant to the role, as this will strengthen your application.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in an educational setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Columbus School and College
✨Show Your Passion for Special Education
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with pupils who have PMLD, SLD, and ASD. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles or how you plan to inspire and engage these learners.
✨Demonstrate Your Creative Teaching Strategies
Prepare to discuss innovative teaching methods you've used or would like to implement. Highlight how you tailor your approach to meet the individual needs of students, ensuring that learning is both enjoyable and effective.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Talk about your experience working with parents, carers, and other professionals to develop and implement EHCPs. Show that you value teamwork and are committed to creating a supportive environment for both students and staff.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Professional Development
Mention any relevant training or professional development you've undertaken, and express your eagerness to continue growing in your role. This shows that you're proactive and dedicated to improving your teaching practice.