SEND English Teacher in Leicester

SEND English Teacher

Qualification: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) required

Start Date: To be agreed

The Lady Byron School is looking for an enthusiastic, skilled and compassionate SEND English Teacher to join our specialist provision for autistic children and young people.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified teacher who is passionate about English and wants to make a genuine difference to pupils who may not always have thrived within mainstream education.

Our pupils are at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that every young person has individual strengths, interests and needs, and we provide a supportive, nurturing and ambitious environment in which they can develop academically, socially and emotionally.

Our school values of Belonging, Kindness and Confidence underpin our approach, alongside our belief in Different minds, endless possibilities.

The Role

As our SEND English Teacher, you will deliver engaging, accessible and appropriately challenging English lessons to pupils with a range of needs, abilities and starting points.

You will:

• Plan and deliver high-quality, engaging English lessons.
• Teach English across appropriate key stages and qualification pathways.
• Develop pupils' reading, writing, speaking, listening and communication skills.
• Adapt teaching, resources and the learning environment to meet individual SEND needs.
• Use pupils' EHCPs, individual needs and starting points to inform teaching and learning.
• Support pupils to work towards appropriate qualifications, including GCSE and/or Functional Skills where appropriate.
• Use formative and summative assessment effectively to monitor progress and inform future teaching.
• Provide meaningful feedback that supports pupils to recognise their achievements and next steps.
• Promote a love of reading and develop literacy skills across the curriculum.
• Create a calm, predictable and inclusive classroom environment in which pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.
• Use appropriate strategies to support emotional regulation, communication and engagement.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with pupils.
• Work collaboratively with practitioners, the SENDCo, pastoral staff, families and other professionals to support pupil progress.
• Contribute to EHCP outcomes and the assessment and review of individual pupil progress.
• Maintain accurate records of pupils' attainment, progress and achievement.
• Use ICT and appropriate resources effectively to enhance teaching and learning.
• Contribute positively to the wider life and ethos of The Lady Byron School.

Behaviour and Pupil Support - The successful candidate will:

• Establish clear, consistent and supportive classroom routines.
• Maintain high expectations while recognising the individual needs of autistic pupils.
• Understand that behaviour can be a form of communication and respond appropriately to pupils' needs.
• Use proactive and supportive strategies to reduce barriers to learning.
• Follow the school's behaviour and positive support approaches consistently.
• Support pupils to develop confidence, resilience, independence and self-regulation.
• Foster positive relationships based on mutual respect, understanding and trust.

About You - We are looking for someone who:

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Has strong subject knowledge in English.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Understands, or is keen to develop their understanding of, effective teaching approaches for autistic pupils.
• Can adapt teaching creatively to meet a wide range of learning profiles and starting points.
• Has high expectations while recognising that progress may look different for every pupil.
• Is patient, reflective, resilient and solution-focused.
• Builds positive and respectful relationships with pupils.
• Works effectively as part of a wider school team.
• Is committed to continuing professional development.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Previous experience in a specialist SEND or autism setting would be advantageous but is not essential. We welcome applications from excellent mainstream English teachers who are enthusiastic about moving into specialist education and developing their SEND practice.

Professional Responsibilities - The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Follow all school policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Participate in relevant meetings, training and continuing professional development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistency of support for pupils.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and standards of conduct.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, including appropriate risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle pupil information appropriately.
• Actively contribute to a culture of high expectations, inclusion and pupil wellbeing.

Why Lady Byron?

Working in specialist education provides the opportunity to know your pupils exceptionally well and see the impact that personalised teaching can have.

At The Lady Byron School, you will join a team committed to creating an environment where pupils feel that they belong, are understood and are able to develop confidence in themselves as learners.

We offer:

• Small teaching groups and a personalised approach to learning.
• The opportunity to make a significant difference to individual pupils.
• A supportive and collaborative staff team.
• Opportunities for SEND and autism-specific professional development.
• Opportunities to contribute to the continued development of our growing school.
• A school culture centred on Belonging, Kindness and Confidence.

Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and The Lady Byron School reserves the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested candidates to submit their application as soon as possible.

If you are an English teacher who believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

The Lady Byron School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS clearance.