Specialist Class Teacher - Sparklers EPU

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for

• A qualified teacher with successful experience of teaching pupils with autism, speech, language and communication needs or other neurodivergent profiles, ideally in EYFS or Key Stage 1.
• A practitioner with a strong understanding of child development, early communication and sensory needs, and of approaches such as TEACCH, Attention Autism, PECS, Makaton, Intensive Interaction and Zones of Regulation (or a real enthusiasm to train in them).
• A calm, patient and neurodiversity-affirming educator who builds trusting relationships and sees the strengths in every child.
• A confident team leader who can direct, coach and support a team of teaching assistants.
• An excellent communicator who can work in genuine partnership with parents and carers, colleagues, other schools and external agencies.
• Someone with a working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, EHC plans and the graduated approach, and the organisational skills to manage reviews, records and paperwork well.
• A commitment to raising standards and ensuring every child reaches their full potential.

What the school offers its staff

• The chance to build and shape a new specialist provision with the full backing of the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
• A dedicated, experienced and welcoming Sparklers team, and a distributed SENCO model with specialist support in every phase.
• Tailored professional development, including specialist training in communication and interaction approaches.
• Supportive, approachable leadership and a strong focus on staff wellbeing.
• Wonderful children, supportive families and a beautiful site.

Commitment to safeguarding

Any job offer at Sparken Hill Academy is contingent upon successful completion of all mandatory background checks to our full satisfaction, including: - An enhanced DBS criminal record check -- Satisfactory professional references, - Verification of qualifications, - A review of publicly available social media demonstrating conduct aligned with our codes & values. We reserve the right to withdraw an employment offer or terminate a position if background checks or social media screening raise concerns about suitability for working with children. Prospective staff must consent to these checks as a condition of consideration. Visits to the school are strongly encouraged.