PPA Teacher (closing date 7th October 2026)

Sherwood Foundation School

PPA Teacher

Salary: Main Pay Scale M1–M6: £37,870–£50,473 plus SEN Allowance (1 or 2 points)

Contract: Full time, Permanent

Closing date: 7 October 2026

Sherwood Foundation School is a Foundation Special School located in the London Borough of Sutton and made up of three campuses:

Sherwood Hill Campus

Sherwood Hill Campus is a specialist school for autistic learners aged 3–19 years who have multiple and complex barriers to learning, requiring high levels of support to access education and learning around their peers. Many of our learners may also have severe learning difficulties and/or struggle to maintain a regulated state for learning.

Sherwood Park Campus

Sherwood Park Campus is a specialist school for learners aged 3–19 years who have severe, multiple and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes learners who have highly complex access needs resulting from their physical and/or health conditions. All learners require high levels of adult support to access learning.

Sherwood Manor Campus

Sherwood Manor Campus is a specialist school primarily for autistic learners aged 11–19 years who have moderate to severe barriers to learning. Most of our pupils can access a highly adapted formal learning environment with high levels of adult support. Some of our learners struggle to deal with the demands of an adult-led learning environment so may need a highly individualised learning offer to meet their academic potential.

We have high aspirations for all our pupils and we pride ourselves on putting the child at the centre of everything we do. Our curriculum ensures that our pupils, who come from a wide range of backgrounds, have exceptional opportunities to excel and access exciting opportunities in school, and beyond school, to develop their physical, social and emotional well-being.

All staff are expected to work across campuses when required. Candidates are welcome to indicate a site preference on their application form; this preference should be based on where you believe your skills and experience best align with the needs of the learners.

About the role: We are seeking a versatile, resilient and passionate PPA Teacher to join our team at Sherwood Foundation School. In this role, you will deliver high-quality, individualised lessons across a range of classes and key stages, providing cover for class teachers during their planning, preparation and assessment time.

This is a great opportunity for an adaptable teacher who enjoys classroom teaching and would welcome the variety of working across different classes, without the ongoing responsibilities of full-time class management, whilst still making a profound impact on pupils' lives.

Working closely with class teachers, support staff and our trans-disciplinary team, you will maintain continuity of learning and provide consistent support for pupils' communication, independence, wellbeing and regulation. You will build positive relationships with learners and adapt your teaching to their individual needs, following established routines and support plans.

We are looking for teachers with recent and successful class teaching experience who have high expectations of what children and young people with learning disabilities and autism can achieve. Experience of teaching pupils with learning disabilities and/or autism in a special school is desirable, but we have extensive experience supporting teachers with a mainstream background to succeed. If you have been considering a move to SEND teaching, this could be the right move for you.

• Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons tailored to pupils with PMLD, SLD, autism, sensory processing needs, and complex medical requirements

• Focus on developing communication, independence, sensory regulation, social interaction, physical development, and emotional well-being

• Work alongside speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, support assistants, and healthcare professionals

• Use assistive communication tools including Makaton, AAC devices, communication switches, and sensory-based approaches

• Support pupils with complex medical needs including feeding programmes, mobility support, positioning, wheelchair use, and personal care routines in line with care plans

• Contribute to and review Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring all targets are relevant, measurable, and achievable

• Maintain a positive, safe classroom environment, supporting learners with sensory and emotional regulation

• Record and monitor pupil progress using small-step achievement frameworks

• Communicate effectively with parents and carers, keeping them updated on progress and celebrating successes

What We're Looking For

• A recognised teaching qualification (QTS, QTLS, or equivalent)

• Experience teaching pupils with PMLD, SLD, ASD, and complex SEND needs within a special school environment

• Strong knowledge of sensory curriculum approaches, intensive interaction, and communication-focused teaching strategies

• Experience supporting pupils with physical disabilities, complex medical needs, and personal care requirements

• Knowledge of assistive technologies and alternative communication methods

• A compassionate and adaptable teaching approach with a strong understanding of sensory learning and therapeutic practice

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with staff, families, and external professionals

Staff Benefits

We know that to achieve our vision, it is our people who make the difference. We offer a competitive reward and benefits package:

• Enrolment in Local Government Pension Scheme

• Competitive Salary

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme via Vita Health Care Group

• Benenden Health - health care cash plan

• On-site staff parking (at two campuses)

• Comprehensive training and development opportunities

• Opportunities for career progression across three campuses

• Flexible working policies

• On site staff swimming sessions

• Access to school dinners

• Commitment to staff health & wellbeing

Safeguarding Recruitment Statement

Sherwood Foundation School is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are made subject to receipt of a completed application, satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact the HR team at recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk

Please note applicants must demonstrate how they meet all sections and subsections of the person specification for this role.

Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire - completion required

All applicants must also complete the Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire by the application closing date, in addition to submitting their application.

Closing Date for Applications: 12pm on 7 October 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 19 October 2026

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