About this role
About the role: We are looking to appoint a dedicated and compassionate teacher with a passion for supporting children and young people aged 3 to 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.
We are seeking an inspiring and patient Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking special needs school. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to learners with complex needs, helping them to achieve their potential through creativity, care, and personalised education.
We are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all. Our aim is to celebrate every achievement, build independence, and create meaningful learning experiences that help each pupil flourish.
As a Teacher at Sherwood, you will lead a small, well-supported class of pupils with profound and complex needs, delivering highly individualised lessons that promote communication, sensory engagement, physical development, and personal progress. Working closely with teaching assistants, therapists, nurses, and multi-disciplinary professionals, you will ensure that every learner’s educational, medical, and emotional needs are met holistically.
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.
Key Responsibilities
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