SEMH P.E Teacher in Ipswich

Are you an empathetic, resilient, and high-energy P.E. Teacher who excels at using sports and physical activity to re-engage young people facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges? Whether you are seeking the complete flexibility and variety of day-to-day supply, or you prefer the rewarding stability of a long-term placement, we have outstanding opportunities tailored to your schedule.

We are currently partnering with specialised SEMH schools, Alternative Provisions (APs), and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in Ipswich and across Suffolk. We are experiencing high demand for passionate P.E. specialists who understand that for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs, physical education is far more than just sports - it is a vital outlet for stress relief, emotional regulation, teamwork, and building self-esteem.

Whether you are an experienced SEMH educator looking for a flexible work-life balance or a mainstream P.E. teacher with exceptional behaviour management skills looking to transition into a high-impact specialist setting, we can help you find your ideal role.

• Day-to-Day Cover: Take total control of your working week. Choose exactly which days you work to fit around personal commitments, coaching, or lifestyle. It is a fantastic way to experience different specialist environments, deliver active movement sessions, and leave at the end of the day with zero take-home planning or marking.
• Long-Term Opportunities: If you prefer consistency, we offer fixed-term placements spanning a term or a full academic year. Long-term roles allow you to build deep, trusted mentoring relationships with vulnerable pupils, deliver accredited courses (such as NCFE, Entry Level, or GCSE PE), and see transformative growth over time.

• Plan and deliver engaging, highly active P.E. and outdoor activity sessions designed to channel energy positively and promote health and well-being.
• Utilise trauma-informed practices and positive behaviour support strategies to manage challenging behaviour, de-escalate tension, and maintain a safe environment.
• Use sport as a vehicle to teach core life skills, including emotional regulation, conflict resolution, resilience, and sportsmanship.
• Differentiate physical activities to accommodate varied fitness levels, sensory needs, and emotional readiness on any given day.
• Collaborate closely with Pastoral Teams, SENCOs, and Learning Support Assistants to provide a wrap-around, supportive approach for each pupil.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), QTLS, or an equivalent physical education qualification.
• Proven experience or a strong aptitude for working with children and young people with SEMH, trauma, or challenging behaviour.
• Outstanding de-escalation skills, patience, emotional resilience, and a non-judgemental, relational approach.
• High energy and the ability to build rapport quickly with disengaged learners.
• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).
• Specialist crisis-intervention training (e.g., Team Teach, Safety-Intervention/MAPA) is highly advantageous, though not essential.

• Competitive daily rates of pay, processed weekly and reflective of your specialist skills and experience.
• A dedicated local consultant with deep expertise in the Suffolk SEN and Alternative Provision sectors.
• Complete control over your diary and availability.
• The opportunity to make a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of young people who need it most, often leading to permanent offers.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.