At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative art sessions for students with complex needs, focusing on expression and engagement.
- Company: Join a respected specialist school dedicated to personalised learning and communication.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference using art as a therapeutic tool in a unique educational setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience with SEND students required.
- Other info: Access to CPD training and a dedicated consultant for support.
The predicted salary is between 37868 - 56154 £ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire (Broxbourne), London, UK
Salary: £37,868 – £56,154 per annum
Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary
Start Date: 13 April 2026
Key Stages: KS3, KS4, KS5 (Secondary & Post-16)
Salary will be determined based on experience and position on the Main Pay Range. The maximum salary of £56,154 is applicable to candidates with substantial teaching experience equivalent to U3.
About the Role
We are seeking a passionate and skilled Specialist Art Teacher who understands that, in this setting, art is not about the final product—but about experience, expression, and connection. You will lead a tailored Art provision across KS3–KS5, delivering sensory-rich, therapeutic, and highly personalised sessions for pupils with complex needs. This is a unique opportunity to use creativity as a powerful tool for communication, engagement, and emotional regulation.
About the School
Teach Now is working in partnership with a highly respected specialist school in Hertfordshire supporting pupils aged 2–19 with severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). The school adopts a Total Communication approach, using tools such as Makaton, PECS, symbols, and communication aids to ensure every pupil can express themselves. Learning is highly personalised, with a strong emphasis on communication, independence, sensory regulation, and emotional wellbeing. Creativity plays a central role across the curriculum, offering pupils meaningful ways to explore, engage, and communicate with the world around them.
Requirements
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Experience working with pupils with SLD, PMLD, and/or ASC
- Strong understanding of Total Communication and sensory-based learning
- Experience delivering highly differentiated or semi-formal curricula
- Confidence leading a team within a specialist classroom
- A creative, patient, and reflective approach to teaching
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver sensory-based, process-led art sessions tailored to pupils with complex needs, including PMLD
- Adapt learning to support engagement, communication, and cause-and-effect understanding
- Deliver highly personalised, EHCP-led learning, breaking progress into small, measurable steps
- Use Total Communication approaches (e.g. Makaton, PECS, visual supports) to support expression and interaction
- Support sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing through structured, creative activities
- Work collaboratively with Teaching Assistants and multidisciplinary teams (including SaLT and OT) to provide holistic support
Why Join This School?
- A truly specialist setting where communication is at the heart of learning
- Opportunity to use creativity in a therapeutic and meaningful way
- Highly supportive and experienced staff team
- Access to ongoing professional development in: Autism, Communication strategies, Complex SEND needs
If you are an innovative and compassionate Art Teacher looking to work in a specialist SEND environment, we would love to hear from you.
Application Process:
Do you feel you meet the criteria for this exciting opportunity? If so, please either apply below or contact Teach-Now directly. All applicants will require the appropriate qualification and training for this role. For teacher roles, we require a formally recognised teaching qualification. If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful for this role. However, we will keep your CV and continue to help you in your search for a job within education. Good luck with your application, we look forward to hearing from you.
Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. Teach Now is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance.
Specialist Art Teacher employer: Teach Now Limited
Contact Detail:
Teach Now Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Art Teacher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow educators, attend local events, and connect with people in the SEND community. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to interview, bring along a portfolio of your work or examples of your lesson plans. This will help demonstrate your unique approach to teaching art in a SEND environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Total Communication strategies. Schools are looking for teachers who can effectively engage pupils with complex needs, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help during the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Art Teacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Art: When writing your application, let your love for art shine through! Share your experiences and how you’ve used creativity to connect with students, especially those with complex needs. We want to see your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with SEND and Total Communication approaches. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges and joys of teaching in a specialist setting.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Teach Now!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teach Now Limited
✨Know Your Art and SEND
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of art education, especially in a SEND context. Familiarise yourself with sensory-based learning techniques and how they can be applied in your art sessions. This will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used creativity in your teaching. Think about unique projects or methods you've implemented that catered to pupils with complex needs. This will highlight your innovative approach and ability to engage students.
✨Understand Total Communication
Get a solid grasp of Total Communication strategies like Makaton and PECS. Be ready to explain how you would incorporate these tools into your lessons to support expression and interaction. This knowledge is crucial for the role and will impress your interviewers.
✨Collaborate and Reflect
Be prepared to discuss how you work with multidisciplinary teams, including Teaching Assistants and therapists. Share examples of how collaboration has enhanced your teaching practice and benefited your students. Reflecting on your experiences shows your commitment to holistic support.