Class Teacher – Specialist SEMH and Communication-Focused Setting
Salary - Main Scale Spine or UPS (appropriate to experience)
Start date- September 2026 or earlier depending on availability (Subject to onboarding checks and Enhanced DBS)
Full time, permanent - 37.5 hours per week
Benefits and Rewards:
* Term Time working
* 16 weeks paid school holidays
* 10% Employer Pension Contribution
* Employee Assistance Programme through Aviva and Health Assured
* On-site parking
* Supportive, fully funded CPD programmes available (levels 2-7)
* Career progression routes for suitable candidates
* Extensive training including in-house delivered and visiting experts (e.g. Trauma, ASC/ADHD, Attachment, Theory of Mind, Team Teach, Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing)
* Wellbeing focused school-wide practice
* On-site Wellbeing programme including supportive Wellbeing Champions, Retreat Room, and activities
* Use of private, indoor pool, sports facilities, woodland area and extensive climbing frame equipment for staff and families during school holidays
* Opportunity to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families
Marchant-Holliday School is a welcoming and forward‑thinking independent special school for boys aged 5–14, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Many of our pupils also present with speech, language and communication difficulties, and we are proud of the highly relational, communication‑rich approach that underpins everything we do.
We are a day and weekly boarding school, set within beautiful grounds with excellent facilities. Our vision is simple and ambitious: every child can thrive when they feel safe, understood and valued. We create an environment where children develop confidence, self‑esteem and curiosity, and where learning feels purposeful, achievable and enjoyable.
At Marchant-Holliday, we recognise that our pupils are bright, thoughtful and full of potential. Some have had challenging experiences in previous educational settings, and our role is to help them rediscover trust in learning and belief in themselves. Small class sizes, high staff ratios and a nurturing ethos allow us to meet pupils’ SEMH and communication needs thoughtfully and effectively.
Teaching and learning are strongly supported by our integrated therapies team, who work collaboratively alongside class staff. This includes Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Integrated Arts Therapy, all embedded into the daily life of the school. Therapists and teachers plan together to ensure strategies are practical, consistent and child‑centred, enabling pupils to develop communication, regulation, sensory integration and emotional expression in meaningful and achievable ways.
Alongside the National Curriculum, pupils benefit from a rich and engaging offer including swimming, horse riding, outdoor learning, music, gardening, residential activities, and frequent trips and visits that broaden horizons and build real‑world skills.
We are seeking a qualified, enthusiastic and reflective class teacher to work with up to eight Key Stage 2 pupils. The successful candidate will be creative, flexible and child‑centred, with a genuine interest in supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing, behaviour regulation and communication development, alongside academic progress. Experience of working with children with SEMH and/or speech, language and communication needs would be welcomed, as would a willingness to work closely with therapists and develop specialist practice further.
While some subjects are taught by specialist staff, applicants should have a secure understanding of the primary National Curriculum and a commitment to inclusive, adaptive teaching practice. You will work as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team that values reflection, collaboration and celebrating success.
Above all, we are looking for someone who:
* Has a passion for working with children with additional needs
* Values teamwork, collaboration and shared problem‑solving
* Brings warmth, patience, compassion and optimism to their practice
* Understands the importance of humour, relationship and connection in supporting SEMH learners
In return, we offer a supportive staff culture, excellent facilities, strong therapeutic support, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference to children’s lives every day.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the school ahead of submitting an application. Please only apply using the school’s application form found on the Marchant-Holliday School website or obtained by contacting the school office on (phone number removed).
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 5th May 2026 -Midday
Shortlisting: Tuesday 5th May 2026
Interviews Week commencing 11th May 2026