Secondary Teacher with SEMH Experience

We are a small and nurturing school, set up to meet the growing need for specialist SEND provision in our area. Our students have often experienced disengagement from a previous educational setting - so it is our purpose to re-ignite their love of learning. Each site has dedicated Thrive rooms and AstroTurfed outdoor areas. Our Wiltie Gardens site also has a music room and a library.

Our students have typically experienced some disruption in their education and have often become less interested in it, as a result. We know that the issues that have previously held a student back need to be addressed before accelerated academic progress can be made. For this reason, the education we provide is holistic in nature. Augmenting our rigorous academic work, we have lots of practical work and lots of activities away from the school site, such as sailing and horse riding - all of which include therapeutic elements, woven into the fabric of our lessons. The results of our approach are often staggering, with attendance, achievement and overall happiness quickly outreaching the aspirations of students' previous provisions.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds and present with a wide range of needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) as well as other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

We are all primarily teachers of children before teachers of subjects. Central to this role is knowing the child, building professional, nurturing and positive relationships and motivating students. Compass Community School teachers inspire children, creating a sense of awe and wonder and making subjects and lessons real and relevant to them. They plan exciting and engaging learning opportunities which challenge and push students, whether they are working on the very basics or they have a special talent or passion for the subject. With that in mind, we are looking for the perfect teacher, rather than being specific about experience in teaching a certain subject – we will incorporate your interests, experience and passion for teaching into our school.

Our children require very special teachers who are able to manage some complex and challenging behaviours. They will know that our children require lots of attention, the right sort of communication, consistency and flexibility in equal measure, and a non-judgemental approach.

Benefits and Rewards

• Staff laptop and mobile phone
• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating‑out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.