At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special needs in their development and learning journeys.
- Company: Foreland Fields School, a happy and welcoming community.
- Benefits: Comprehensive CPD programme, supportive staff, and a rich learning environment.
- Other info: Join a committed team dedicated to improving life chances for all pupils.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with profound and complex needs.
- Qualifications: Qualified teacher status (QTS) and experience with special educational needs.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 43607 € per year.
This is a happy place (OFSTED May 2023). Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with their development and learning? Are you keen to develop new skills? Come and join our fantastic team at Foreland Fields School!
Our pupils and students have a wide range of profound, severe and complex needs, including difficulties with communication, learning, physical and sensory development as well as medical and care needs. Classes are needs led and pupils and students follow personalised learning journeys along different curriculum pathways, depending on their individual needs.
We are looking for a very special teacher to lead one of our Primary classes, to cover a maternity leave from September 2026. We are looking for a qualified (QTS) teacher with sound knowledge, understanding and experience of teaching children at the earliest stages of development, or children with profound, severe or complex needs. We welcome applications from teachers from a mainstream background as we provide a full induction programme and a weekly CPD programme for all class-based staff. We also have some highly skilled Early Career Framework mentors and we would be interested to hear from Early Career teachers.
Foreland Fields School is highly committed to improving the life chances of our pupils and students and to the raising of standards throughout school. We place a firm emphasis upon the knowledge and skills needed in later life, working in partnership with parents and outside agencies to achieve this.
The successful candidate will therefore need to be able to demonstrate:
- That they are a reflective practitioner with a commitment to ongoing professional development and research into best pedagogy and practice
- The drive and ambition to improve the life chances of pupils with SEN
- A good understanding of current national, statutory and curriculum requirements
- The capability to deliver consistently good or better lessons
- Knowledge of teaching pupils with special educational needs in either a mainstream or specialist setting
- The skill to differentiate their approach for pupils of all abilities
- The ability to work well as a member of a team and have excellent interpersonal skills with children, parents, professionals and other adults
We can offer you:
- A friendly and welcoming school community
- A rights respecting ethos, where the best interests of every child are a priority
- Committed, hard-working supportive specialist staff and governing body
- A well-resourced and rich learning environment
- A coaching culture, with a comprehensive weekly CPD programme and opportunities for professional development
Please contact the Deputy Headteacher at sarahthorp@foreland.kent.sch.uk during term time for further information, or to arrange a visit to the school on one of the following dates:
- Monday 1st June at 4pm
- Wednesday 3rd June at 11.30 am and 4pm
- Thursday 4th June at 11am
- Monday 8th June at 10am and 4pm
Special Needs Teacher (Primary) - Full Time - Maternity Cover - Maternity in Kent employer: Sandwich Infant
Foreland Fields School is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both staff and students. With a strong emphasis on professional development through a comprehensive CPD programme and a coaching culture, teachers are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with special educational needs. Located in a friendly community, the school prioritises the well-being of its staff and students, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Needs Teacher (Primary) - Full Time - Maternity Cover - Maternity in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Foreland Fields School. Understand their ethos and values, especially their commitment to supporting children with special educational needs. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your teaching demo! If you're asked to deliver a lesson or a part of one, make sure you prepare something engaging and suitable for the age group and needs of the students. Think about how you can differentiate your approach to cater to all abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! In your interview, highlight experiences where you've collaborated with other teachers, parents, or professionals. Emphasise how you’ve worked together to improve outcomes for students, especially those with complex needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the school's CPD programme or how they support new teachers. This shows your enthusiasm and commitment to professional growth, which is key in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Needs Teacher (Primary) - Full Time - Maternity Cover - Maternity in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for supporting children with special needs. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in their learning and development. This will help us understand why you're the perfect fit for our team!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with SEN. We want to know how your background aligns with the needs of our pupils, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills and knowledge.
Reflect on Your Practice:We love reflective practitioners! Include insights into your teaching methods and how you adapt to meet diverse learning needs. This shows us that you're committed to ongoing professional development and improving your practice.
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandwich Infant
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of special educational needs and the specific challenges faced by children with profound, severe, and complex needs. Familiarise yourself with current national curriculum requirements and be ready to discuss how you can adapt your teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for supporting children's development shine through. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to improving life chances for pupils with SEN. This will help the interviewers see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since working well as part of a team is crucial in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with colleagues, parents, and other professionals in the past. Highlight any experiences where teamwork led to positive outcomes for students, showing that you value collaboration in your teaching practice.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the school's approach to teaching and supporting students with SEN. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the school’s ethos aligns with your own values and teaching philosophy.
