Meets the academic needs of our students but also supports their social and emotional development. You'll work as part of a collaborative and supportive team to help pupils re-engage with education, overcome barriers to learning, and build the confidence and skills they need for life beyond school.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing specialist SEN provision. Our school supports pupils from KS2 to 6th form with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, offering a personalised and therapeutic learning environment designed to meet each pupil’s academic and personal potential
Key Responsibilities
1. Plan and deliver a broad, balanced, and differentiated Science curriculum, tailored to the diverse needs and abilities of students with SEMH
2. Create a stimulating and supportive classroom environment that promotes a love of learning and intellectual curiosity
3. Employ engaging, multi-sensory and inclusive teaching strategies to meet a range of learning styles and individual needs
4. Contribute to the development of schemes of work and lesson planning within the Science department
5. Monitor and assess pupil progress, set clear targets, and provide constructive feedback to support academic and personal growth
6. Work closely with the wider school team, including therapists, support staff, and senior leadership, to deliver holistic support
7. Incorporate Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development across science lessons
8. Maintain high expectations of behaviour and engagement, using positive behaviour support approaches aligned with SEMH best practice
What We’re Looking For
9. Experience teaching Science at KS3 and KS4
10. A genuine passion for working with young people with SEMH needs
11. Experience working in specialist settings (SEMH or Alternative Provision) – desirable but not essential
12. Excellent classroom management skills and the ability to inspire, motivate and support pupils with complex needs
13. A flexible, resilient, and compassionate approach to teaching
14. Full UK Driving Licence
This is more than just a teaching role – it’s a chance to leave a lasting impact. You will help shape the culture, ethos, and curriculum of a school designed to empower pupils to achieve their best. Smallbrook School offers a creative, inclusive, and supportive environment, where innovation is encouraged and every member of staff is valued as part of our growing team.
About us
Smallbrook School is a co-educational day school based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire. We are currently expanding our capacity from 50 to 80 students, with significant investment in our site to develop our KS2 and sixth form provision.
We cater to pupils aged 7–18 with a range of complex needs, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as those diagnosed with autism or displaying behaviours associated with autism.
At Smallbrook, we provide a therapeutic, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise and reach their potential. Through a personalised and engaging curriculum, we focus on developing the foundational knowledge and skills that ensure a smooth and manageable transition to the next stage of life.
Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
15. Life Assurance
16. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
17. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
18. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
19. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
20. Cycle to Work Schemes
21. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
22. Critical illness cover
23. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
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