PSHE Teacher in Dorking

Salary: Teacher’s Fringe Main FTE £34,398-£46,839 and Upper Pay Scale FTE £48,913-£52,490 plus SEN Allowance

Location: Unified Academy, Chart Lane South, Dorking, RH5 4DB

Working Pattern: Full time, all year round

Unified Academy, located in Dorking, is a special school for students from 9 to 16, who have social, emotional, and mental health needs. Many of our students also face moderate learning and attachment difficulties. The school takes a highly personalised approach to education, with small class sizes and carefully tailored lessons that consider the individual needs, interests, and abilities of each student. This ensures that their learning is purposeful, engaging, and relevant.

The team at Unified Academy are driven to secure the best possible outcomes for their students by nurturing them to become well‑rounded, confident adults with high aspirations for their future. We are seeking a resilient, reflective and compassionate teacher who can build positive relationships, engage reluctant learners and create a safe, nurturing environment where every student can achieve success.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of supporting students with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), SEMH needs, communication difficulties and trauma‑related behaviours. You will plan differentiated work to meet the needs of individuals and groups promoting progression, continuity and quality of learning by having clear intentions for children’s learning and by using your knowledge of school policies and Curriculum requirements. You will support the pastoral needs of the students, creating a safe nurturing space within your classroom that allows students to grow as people and develop a positive sense of self‑concept, emotional resilience and positive self‑esteem. You should be able to accurately assess need, deliver teaching reflective of need, and measure targeted incremental progress, in order that students are prepared for transition and integration into their next appropriate phase of life.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide high quality learning and teaching within the School
• To teach a range of PSHE topics and skills to prepare students for life outside of education
• To provide positive behaviour management and social development of students
• To work in partnership with parents and carers in supporting the education of their children

Key Requirements:

• Recent experience of teaching pupils/students with special needs, including autism and a range of challenging behaviour, to a high standard
• Experience of working with clear guidelines, procedures and adhering to safeguarding and child protection
• Proven ability to demonstrate and lead outstanding classroom practice, including innovative curriculum development and planning
• Evidence of effective target‑setting to promote student progress

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated and supportive team committed to transforming outcomes for young people with additional needs.

Benefits:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme – you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme).
• Employee Wellbeing – We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme.
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme).

Applications are welcomed from both experienced teachers and ECTs who have a passion for inclusive education and supporting young people with additional needs. The successful candidate will deliver an engaging and relevant PSHE curriculum covering mental health and wellbeing, relationships and sex education, personal safety, employability, financial education and preparation for adulthood.

Interviews will take place from 1 July 2026. To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Safeguarding Statement: Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all. We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.