English Special Educational Needs Teacher

English Special Educational Needs Teacher

Dated: 29 Apr 2026

ABBEY HILL ACADEMY Stockton-on-Tees TS19 8BU

Permanent Post - Required for September 2026

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust consists of 8 Academies, Abbey Hill, Westlands, Green Gates, Hollis, Archway, Woodlands, The Meadows and Mo Mowlam. The academies serve a population of in excess of 1000 students with a broad range of special educational needs.

Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form provides for approximately 360 young people and we are at the forefront of current developments in the education of young people with special educational needs. We specialise in meeting the needs of students aged 11 to 18 who have a full range of learning difficulties as well as other physical and social needs. Due to the demand for places within our school, we have provisions on three sites, our main location of Ketton Road in Stockton, an MLD base of three classes within Northshore Academy and a satellite provision of five classes for students with MLD and Autism in Acklam, Middlesbrough.

The post is to teach students aged 11-18 with a broad range of special educational needs, predominantly those with moderate learning difficulties. The post will include delivering our English curriculum to students working on entry in Year 7 at Y1-3 expectations up to Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications at the end of Year 11.

About the job

No two days are the same, so we are seeking a teacher who can work at pace to turn 'can't do' into 'want to' and is motivated by working with young people with complex needs. You will be confident in your belief that every child can achieve and reach their potential. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with children in a calm and engaging demeanour, whilst being resilient and using innovative styles of teaching.

We want to hear from people with drive and a willingness to go the 'extra mile' to improve the lives of the young people in our care. Whilst previous experience of working in a SEN environment would be desirable, excellent teaching skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are just as important.

What will I be doing?

• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships in order to promote the development and effective delivery of the school curriculum to maximise our young people's achievement.
• Teaching students according to their educational needs and acknowledging that every lesson counts.
• Delivering our KS3 and KS4 curriculum including relevant qualifications.
• Creating a well ordered and secure environment that will ensure the educational well being of individual children within the group.
• Support students in a positive manner, through an attachment friendly ethos that fosters warmth as well as sets high boundaries so that all can achieve their potential; following agreed and consistent strategies alongside school in house professionals and therapeutic colleagues.
• Ensuring careful and ongoing assessment of the students learning to inform further planning and next steps.
• Ensuring that tasks and activities are matched to the ability of the student - allowing them to make progress at the right pace and level.
• Working with school leaders to complete and teach individual pupil plans where students have specific needs.
• Liaising effectively with parents and a wide range of professionals.
• Leading a class team of enthusiastic and hardworking teaching assistants.
• Working with key professionals to deliver a well rounded curriculum, which supports the students' ability to learn, self regulate, develop students' social skills and supports their mental health.

What do I need?

• Must have appropriate teaching Qualification (QTS or QTLS)
• Knowledge of the English curriculum. A knowledge of phonics is extremely beneficial
• Have some knowledge of SEND and an awareness of tools and strategies to support literacy development in learning with literacy difficulties
• Resilient, supportive and sensitive towards the needs of our learners
• Be an outstanding practitioner
• Understanding of the curriculum in order for successful planning and delivery
• The ability to manage challenging behaviour effectively
• A strong commitment to the welfare and safeguarding of students

Why work for us?

A few reasons we think it's a great place to work:

• Abbey Hill Academy is where amazing children do amazing things!
• Opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and make a positive difference
• Continuous professional development & training for a clear career path
• No two days are ever the same
• Open and positive working environment
• Be part of a fantastic team who work hard together and support each other and have achieved Gold status with Investors in People for people management and Silver status for Staff Wellbeing.

Visits to the Academy are actively encouraged and highly recommended. To arrange this please email or telephone on and ask to speak to a member of the HR team.

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As part of our recruitment process, online searches may be conducted. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and appropriate references.