SEN Teacher

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Job Title:  SEN Teacher
Location:  Higford School, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9ET
Hours:  37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:00pm
Salary:  Up to £44,310.00 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

SEN Teacher

Are you a teacher committed to improving the lives of pupils?

About us

Options Higford is a specialist school set within 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide high-quality, holistic education for up to 80 autistic pupils who may also have severe learning disabilities and associated communication, sensory, emotional regulation and behavioural needs.

Pupils are taught in small classes of approximately five, supported by high staffing levels. We provide a personalised curriculum for every pupil, based on their individual needs, interests, stage of development and EHCP outcomes.

Our aim is to help pupils make meaningful progress academically and socially, while developing their communication, emotional regulation, independence and skills for life. Learning takes place both in the classroom and through practical experiences, enrichment activities and access to the wider community.

The role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative SEN Teacher to join our fantastic team at Options Higford.

You will take an individualised approach to teaching, ensuring that each pupil’s personalised curriculum is delivered in a way that maximises their engagement, achievement and ability to progress.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a teacher who enjoys working creatively and flexibly, focusing on the needs of each individual pupil. You will develop meaningful learning opportunities for students with a wide range of complex needs.

Your work will be challenging and rewarding in equal measure. You will be joining a school with a strong safeguarding culture, where pupils are listened to, respected and involved in decisions wherever possible.

When it comes to supporting our pupils, we never settle for second best. We are looking for a teacher who can deliver a range of subjects and who shares our vision of building incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people to be happy, develop their independence and make their way in the world.

Key responsibilities

As an SEN Teacher, you will:

• Plan and deliver high-quality, creative and personalised learning across a range of subjects.
• Ensure that every pupil can access learning appropriate to their individual needs and stage of development.
• Use pupils’ interests, communication methods and sensory needs to develop engaging learning opportunities.
• Support pupils to make progress academically, socially and emotionally and in communication, regulation and independence.
• Monitor and assess pupils’ progress, putting appropriate interventions in place where pupils are underachieving.
• Work closely with teaching assistants, senior leaders, therapists, families and other professionals.
• Support the development of whole-school curriculum mapping and schemes of learning.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that a differentiated curriculum is delivered effectively across all school pathways.
• Support the development of appropriate teaching approaches, classroom strategies, behaviour support and specialist resources.
• Ensure consistency in teaching, learning, assessment and feedback.
• Contribute to the development of curriculum or subject areas according to your experience and areas of expertise.
• Maintain a development plan for any subject or curriculum area for which you hold responsibility.
• Keep up to date with developments in SEND practice and relevant curriculum areas.
• Share effective practice and deliver training to support the professional development of colleagues.
• Liaise with other Outcomes First Group schools to support curriculum development.
• Work with the examinations officer, where appropriate, to ensure accurate entries for relevant qualifications.
• Maintain consistently high expectations for pupils’ learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture in which pupils feel safe, respected and heard.

Who we are looking for

Previous experience of working within an SEN or autism setting would be desirable. However, excellent teaching skills, the right motivation, strong personal qualities and a high level of resilience are equally important.

Many of our pupils have severe learning disabilities and are working developmentally within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Experience of EYFS, sensory learning, communication-focused teaching or supporting pupils with complex needs would therefore be particularly beneficial.

You will be calm, engaging, resilient and reflective, with an innovative teaching style and a genuine commitment to helping every pupil reach their potential.

Essential requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Degree-level education or an equivalent professional qualification. 
• A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupils’ welfare.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to develop positive relationships with pupils who have complex needs.
• A calm, consistent and resilient approach.
• A full UK driving licence.

At Options Higford, you will have the opportunity to teach differently, focus on the individual pupil and make a genuine difference every day.

About Us

Options Higford is a specialist school set in 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide a high quality, holistic education for up to 60 autistic students who also have associated behavioural needs. Class groups have five students in with at least 1:1 staffing. We provide personalised curriculums for each student based on their individual needs and aim to support them to make progress academically, socially, with skills for life, regulating their emotions and accessing the community.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and 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.

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