At a Glance
- Tasks: Teach and inspire students with additional needs across various academic pathways.
- Company: Downland School, a supportive community special school for ages 11-16.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, SEN allowance, and a positive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a caring team.
- Qualifications: Qualified teacher status; passion for teaching students with SEND.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to fostering personal and academic growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: MPS/UPS depending on experience + a SEN allowance (£2,787)
Hours of work: 32.5 hrs per week
Contract type: Permanent
We are actively seeking a talented teacher with a passion for educating boys and girls with additional needs. Our pupils are really well supported and our team operates as a family, all stakeholders work to help our pupils achieve their full potential.
Downland School is a co-educational maintained community special school for pupils aged between 11 and 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Our pupils have varying aptitudes and abilities; we are extremely proud of all their achievements and progress. Our pupils have a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including Autism (ASC), attachment disorders and Social, Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.
We seek to ensure that, by the time they leave us, our pupils emerge as self-confident individuals able to manage their own learning; equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives. We are a friendly, happy and caring school, providing a positive, inclusive and enriching educational experience for our young people. We view each of our pupils as unique and shape our provision to meet their individual needs and accelerate their progress in a variety of areas e.g. personal, social, academic and well-being. Our commitment to supporting the ‘whole’ child and their development is underpinned by our strong pastoral systems and our committed and trained staff. At Downland we promote inclusion and equality and celebrate diversity. Our mission statement is ‘Aspire, Achieve and Thrive’.
We are now looking to appoint a dynamic and ambitious Teacher of Primary. This is an exciting opportunity to join our enthusiastic, committed and professional team and to teach pupils from year 7 to year 11. You will have a passion for teaching, be an excellent practitioner and have the ability to teach pupils with SEND. You will be an integral part of a team building an accessible curriculum, focusing on literacy and numeracy acquisition alongside PSHEE.
Core aims:
- To have significant, positive impact on our young people’s lives, securing the very best outcomes.
Key responsibilities:
- Developing and teaching the modified curriculum pathways; driving up the outcomes for our pupils.
- Positively contributing to the quality of teaching of literacy, numeracy and PSHEE alongside topics which allow for the personalisation of curricula.
- Implementation of our whole school literacy and numeracy strategies.
- Actively promoting innovation and creativity with a SEN focus across the school.
- Being a proactive mentor and delivering tailored personal development as part of this role.
- Focusing strongly on raising levels of progress and attainment through accurate assessment of data which is used across the school.
- Focusing on developing the needs of the whole child and having strong and well established relationships with all stakeholders.
- Teaching small mixed ability class groups or 1:1 with pupils with complex SEND.
- Participating fully in all aspects of pastoral care and wider school life including promoting the ‘Downland Way’.
Enthusiasm and commitment to working with and raising achievement for pupils with SEND is paramount to us; you will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values and embrace ‘The Downland Way’.
To apply:
You should submit a letter addressed to Mrs Keily-Theobald (Headteacher) of no more than two sides of A4 with your application form addressing the requirements of the post, as outlined in the Job Description and the Person Specification. Applications received without a supporting letter will not be considered and CVs will not be accepted.
Further information about this position and an application form are available to download from the school website.
Please email completed application forms and your covering letter to Tanya Rhodes, Bursar, at admin@downland.wilts.sch.uk. Alternatively, to apply online, please download the application form and click the ‘apply now’ button below to upload your completed application form and covering letter online.
We welcome visits to the school. Please contact Tanya Rhodes if you would like to arrange a visit in advance of applying.
Closing date (and time): 9.00am Thursday 12 February 2026
Interview date: w/b Monday 23 February 2026
Commencement date: as soon as possible
Downland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note that this appointment is subject to enhanced DBS, medical and reference checks before appointment is confirmed.
Teacher of primary or secondary in Devizes employer: Wiltshire
Contact Detail:
Wiltshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teacher of primary or secondary in Devizes
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Downland School. Familiarise yourself with their mission statement and values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how you can demonstrate your passion for teaching and your experience with SEND. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll come across!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your personality! During the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share personal anecdotes that highlight your teaching style and how you've positively impacted students' lives. Remember, they want to see the real you!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you’re keen on the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Teacher of primary or secondary in Devizes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Personal with Your Cover Letter: When writing your cover letter, make it personal! Address it to Mrs Keily-Theobald and share why you’re excited about the role at Downland School. Highlight your passion for teaching and how you can contribute to our mission of helping pupils with SEND thrive.
Showcase Your Skills and Experience: Make sure to clearly outline your relevant skills and experiences in your application. We want to see how you can adapt your teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to raise aspirations and achieve positive outcomes.
Stick to the Guidelines: Remember to keep your application within the specified limits – no more than two sides of A4 for your letter! This shows us that you can follow instructions and communicate effectively, which is super important in a teaching role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. Download the application form, fill it out, and hit that ‘apply now’ button! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wiltshire
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Be ready to discuss how you can adapt your teaching methods to support pupils with varying needs, especially those with Autism or SEMH difficulties. Show them you understand the unique challenges and rewards of teaching in a special school setting.
✨Show Your Passion for Teaching
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for teaching shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired students in the past, particularly those with additional needs. This role is all about making a positive impact, so convey your commitment to helping every child achieve their potential.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life teaching scenarios. Think about how you would handle classroom challenges, such as engaging a mixed-ability group or supporting a pupil with complex needs. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Embrace the Downland Way
Familiarise yourself with the school's mission statement, 'Aspire, Achieve and Thrive', and be prepared to discuss how you embody these values. Highlight your commitment to inclusion and equality, and share how you plan to contribute to the school's positive, caring environment.