Specialist ASD/SEND Teacher

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 – 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 typically have experienced some disruption in their education and have often become less interested in it, as a result. We address the issues that have previously held a student back before accelerated academic progress can be made. Our education is holistic, combining rigorous academic work with practical work and activities such as sailing and horse riding, each woven into the therapeutic fabric of our lessons. Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds and present with a wide range of needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and other SEND such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. As a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff receive extensive therapeutic training and support. Our close triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and the students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes.

We are looking for teachers who are primarily teachers of children, not subject specialists. 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. 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. We expect the ability to manage complex and challenging behaviours, provide consistent and flexible communication, and maintain a non‑judgemental approach. Your interests, experience and passion for teaching will shape your teaching.

Benefits and Rewards

• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• 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

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an Enhanced DBS check or an 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. We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Equal Opportunity

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