About this role
Sherwood Foundation School
SEND Class Teacher
Salary: Main Pay Scale M1–UPS3: £37,870–£58,120 plus SEN Allowance (1 or 2 points)
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Closing date: 25 November 2026
Sherwood Foundation School is a Foundation Special School located in the London Borough of Sutton and
made up of three campuses:
Sherwood Hill Campus
Sherwood Hill Campus is a specialist school for autistic learners aged 3–19 years who have multiple and
complex barriers to learning, requiring high levels of support to access education and learning around their
peers. Many of our learners may also have severe learning difficulties and/or struggle to maintain a
regulated state for learning.
Sherwood Park Campus
Sherwood Park Campus is a specialist school for learners aged 3–19 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.
Sherwood Manor Campus
Sherwood Manor Campus is a specialist school primarily for autistic learners aged 11–19 years who have
moderate to severe barriers to learning. Most of our pupils can access a highly adapted formal learning
environment with high levels of adult support. Some of our learners struggle to deal with the demands of an
adult-led learning environment so may need a highly individualised learning offer to meet their academic
potential.
We have high aspirations for all our pupils and we pride ourselves on putting the child at the centre of
everything we do. Our curriculum ensures that our pupils, who come from a wide range of backgrounds,
have exceptional opportunities to excel and access exciting opportunities in school, and beyond school, to
develop their physical, social and emotional well-being.
All staff are expected to work across campuses when required. Candidates are welcome to indicate a site
preference on their application form; this preference should be based on where you believe your skills and
experience best align with the needs of the learners.
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
Safeguarding Recruitment Statement
Sherwood Foundation School is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare
of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this
commitment. All appointments are made subject to receipt of a completed application, satisfactory
references and an Enhanced DBS check.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact the HR team at
Please note applicants must demonstrate how they meet all sections and subsections of the person
specification for this role.
Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire - completion required
All applicants must also complete the Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire by the application closing
date, in addition to submitting their application.
Complete the Equality and Monitoring Questionnaire
Closing Date for Applications: 12pm on 25 November 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 7 December 2026