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- Tasks: Inspire and educate pupils with complex needs, tailoring lessons to individual learning plans.
- Company: Join Lift Schools, a diverse network dedicated to providing excellent education for every child.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, professional development, and lifestyle perks like gym discounts.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in students' lives while working in a supportive and creative environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for teaching and commitment to supporting children with PMLD, SLD, and ASD required.
- Other info: Visit our school to see our exceptional learning environment and meet the team!
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Teacher of Complex Needs (PMLD, SLD & ASD)
Job Ref No. ECC7071-223S Position Type: Teacher Pay Range: Main Pay Range + Sen Allowance
Position Start Date: 01/09/2025 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 03/08/2025 Midnight Date of Interviews: TBC
Permanent, Full Time or Part Time
September 2025
At Columbus School and College, we are looking for a creative and inspirational teacher to join our specialist team, working with Pupils aged 3 – 19 with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
We have high expectations for all our learners and are profoundly focused on preparing them for the future with a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to their individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), developed in collaboration with parents, carers, and other professionals.
Here\’s what we can offer you:
- A welcoming, skilled, and dedicated team of leaders, teachers, and staff who are passionate about our pupils.
- A comprehensive induction programme and a supportive mentor to help you quickly settle in, feel a sense of belonging, and achieve success in your role.
- Excellent opportunities for professional development and clear pathways for career progression.
- High levels of support to enhance your teaching practice, including collaborative work with Pioneer Special School in Basildon.
- Concise assessment systems designed to reduce workload, allowing you to focus on improving learning rather than just proving it.
- The chance to work in some of the highest quality learning environments in the country for pupils with special needs, across our two campuses.
- A culture where we want our pupils to be excited about coming to school and to truly love learning, feeling motivated and challenged every day. We achieve this by building precisely on what our pupils already know and can do.
Are you:
- Passionate about delivering outstanding education to pupils with PMLD, SLD and/or ASD?
- Creative and reflective in your teaching approach?
- Committed to making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people?
We welcome applications from those seeking full time or part time hours. If applying for part time, please include your preferred working pattern in your personal statement. We are happy to be flexible with days.
Come and see us in action!
We warmly encourage you to visit our school and experience our exceptional learning environment firsthand. To arrange a visit or schedule a friendly chat please contact Brooke Carr, our School Operations Manager, at bcarr@columbusschoolandcollege.org. School tours are also available upon request.
Closing date : 3rd August 2025
Who is Lift Schools?
We\’re a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child – in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they\’ve ever had.
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
- Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career.Our partnership withOne Worldpowers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, includingAmbition Institute\’sEarly Career andNPQofferings, tailored to both individual and network needs.
- Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we\’ve got you covered.
- Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Information about the School
Columbus School and College (CSC) has been established after an interesting journey dating back to 2000. CSC was formerly two separate special needs schools in Chelmsford –Woodlands School in Patching Hall Lane and The Hayward School in Maltese Road.
Woodlands School catered for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex learning difficulties aged 3 – 19 years and Hayward School catered for children with moderate learning difficulties and autism aged 4 – 16 years.
The two schools federated in 2005 to form Chelmsford New Model Special School with a single governing body. There were two campuses – Woodlands Campus and Hayward Campus.
On 1st September, 2009 the two schools formally amalgamated to form Columbus School and College.
Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.
Our mission:
- We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
- With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
- We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.
Documents
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Laurence Johnson
School Campus
Oliver Way, Chelmsford
Essex, CM1 4ZB Telephone: 01245 491492
Email: ljohnson@liftschools.org
Unqualified Teacher SEND
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SEND Teacher
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#J-18808-Ljbffr
Teacher of Complex Needs (PMLD, SLD & ASD) employer: Shorefields
Contact Detail:
Shorefields Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teacher of Complex Needs (PMLD, SLD & ASD)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of pupils with PMLD, SLD, and ASD. Understanding their unique challenges and how to support them will not only enhance your teaching approach but also demonstrate your commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former staff at Columbus School and College to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the school's culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your creative teaching strategies and how you can adapt the curriculum to meet individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Highlighting your innovative methods will show that you are ready to engage and inspire students with complex needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the school before applying. Engaging with the environment and observing classes in action will not only give you a better understanding of the role but also allow you to ask informed questions during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Teacher of Complex Needs (PMLD, SLD & ASD)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Teacher of Complex Needs position. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with PMLD, SLD, and ASD.
Craft a Personal Statement: In your personal statement, express your passion for teaching pupils with complex needs. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles and mention your commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Ensure your CV showcases relevant teaching experience, particularly with special needs education. Include any training or qualifications that relate to PMLD, SLD, and ASD, as well as any professional development courses you've completed.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a teaching role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shorefields
✨Show Your Passion for Special Education
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with pupils who have PMLD, SLD, and ASD. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles or how you plan to inspire and engage these learners.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life classroom situations. Think about challenges you might face and how you would address them, particularly in relation to individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
✨Highlight Collaborative Skills
Since the role involves working closely with parents, carers, and other professionals, be ready to discuss your experience in teamwork and collaboration. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked with others to support students' needs.
✨Demonstrate Creativity in Teaching Approaches
The school is looking for a creative teacher, so come prepared with innovative ideas for lesson plans and activities tailored to diverse learning needs. Discuss how you can make learning exciting and accessible for all students.
