SEND Primary Teacher, Croydon

Location: Croydon

Type: ASD, Communication Needs and Moderate Learning Difficulties

Working Hours: 08:30 am – 16:00 pm

Salary: M1 – UPS3 (+ SEN Allowance)

Do you have a passion for nurturing the potential of children with special educational needs? We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Primary Special Needs Teacher to work across Key Stage 1 and 2, helping to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference while advancing your teaching career in a dynamic and caring school community.

At the school, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive environment that places the well-being and development of our students at the core. Specialising in supporting children with autism, speech and language communication needs, moderate learning difficulties, and associated social, emotional, and sensory needs, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating setting where every child can reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and Deliver Individualised Lessons: Design and implement creative, differentiated lesson plans tailored to the unique learning profiles, communication styles, and developmental needs of each child.
• Foster Holistic Development: Support students’ academic, social, emotional, sensory, and communication development, encouraging confidence, resilience, and independence.
• Develop and Implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs): Collaborate with colleagues, parents, therapists, and external professionals to create, review, and monitor personalised targets and provision.
• Create a Positive Learning Environment: Establish an inclusive, structured, and nurturing classroom using visual supports, sensory strategies, and consistent routines to help children feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.
• Assess and Monitor Progress: Regularly evaluate and document student achievements using small-step progress approaches, adapting teaching strategies to ensure continuous progress.
• Work Collaboratively: Partner with teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, behaviour specialists, and pastoral teams to provide comprehensive support for each student.
• Promote Inclusion: Champion a culture of acceptance, communication, and understanding across the school community.
• Support Communication Development: Use communication tools and strategies such as Makaton, PECS, visual timetables, AAC devices, and autism-friendly approaches to support expressive and receptive language skills.
• Support Behaviour and Emotional Regulation: Implement positive behaviour support strategies and sensory regulation approaches to support pupils with autism and associated needs.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Experience or a specialist qualification in SEN teaching (desirable).
• A strong understanding of the primary curriculum and how to adapt it to meet diverse learning needs within a SEND setting.
• Experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, and developmental delays.
• Knowledge of autism-friendly teaching strategies, sensory integration approaches, and communication-centred learning environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with students, families, therapists, and staff effectively.
• Creativity, patience, and resilience to meet the challenges and celebrate the achievements of SEN teaching.
• Familiarity with assistive technologies, sensory strategies, and alternative communication methods (e.g., Makaton, PECS, AAC devices) is advantageous.
• Strong behaviour management skills with an understanding of positive behaviour support and emotional regulation strategies.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students.

What Makes a Successful Primary Special Needs Teacher?

• Adaptability: Tailoring teaching approaches to meet varied learning styles, communication needs, and sensory profiles.
• Innovative Thinking: Using creative and engaging techniques to inspire and motivate students with additional needs.
• Collaboration: Working closely with colleagues, parents, therapists, and external professionals to support each child holistically.
• Dedication to Inclusion: A firm belief in the potential of every child and a commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment.
• Empathy and Patience: Understanding and responding to the unique challenges faced by SEN students.