SEN Teacher, Harry Watts Academy

Pay/Salary Range: MPS/UPS £31,650 - £49084 FTE per annum depending on relevant teaching experience, plus SEN 1 allowance £2,679

Are you passionate about working with children with autism?

Due to the expansion of the school, we require a SEN teacher to join the team to be part of the continued success, both now and into the future. We are looking for an outstanding teacher who will ensure the vision, values and ethos of Prosper Learning Trust are at the core of their practice, whilst having high standards of achievement for all of our pupils.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who will:

• Be forward thinking, positive and ambitious in everything they do
• Have the highest of expectations for all our pupils and a relentless focus on safeguarding
• Build strong, positive relationships with all stakeholders
• Have a passion for teaching and learning, and improving outcomes for pupils with SEND, in particular autism and learning disabilities.
• Use their skills, knowledge and experience to deliver an appropriate and engaging curriculum
• Have excellent understanding of Education, Health and Care plans.
• Be creative in their curriculum delivery
• Be able to communicate with pupils using verbal language, visual aids, AAC and Makaton

Our pupils are all completely unique and utterly amazing, therefore a good working understanding of the Engagement Model up to Pre Key Stage standards, is essential. An excellent understanding and proven experience of working with Autistic children with a learning disability is a core requirement of the role. All teachers do have subject co-ordinator responsibilities; therefore please state your particular curriculum strengths in your application.

The successful candidate will have experience in a similar role.

Some of the main duties of the role include:

• Establish a purposeful and safe learning environment and manage learners’ behaviour constructively
• Contribute to monitoring and development of the required subject/s area to ensure suitable opportunities
• Plan effectively in the short, medium and long-term
• Be aware of and apply a range of teaching and learning strategies

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland, which was opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between five and sixteen years. All pupils who attend Harry Watts Academy a diagnosis of autism, a complex learning need and a respective EHCP. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief and unwavering commitment that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated. Harry Watts Academy is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton.

Although the Academy is only in its fourth year of operation, we have established ourselves quickly in the specialist sector. Harry Watts Academy is a popular choice for parents and as a result, the Academy has grown quickly and is currently oversubscribed. In July 2023, Harry Watts was graded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted. 

To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.  

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region: 

• Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years) 
• Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years) 
• Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years) 
• Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years) 
• Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years) 

Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4-11 years).

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust 

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another 
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes 
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group 
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates.  
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace 
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs) 
• Cycle to work scheme 

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think. 

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.