14 days remaining to apply

  • Job start date

    1 September 2026

  • Closing date

    15 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)

  • Date listed

    1 May 2026

Job details

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Key stage 3, Key stage 4

Subject

English

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

MPS/UPS

Additional allowances

SEN 1 Allowance

What skills and experience we're looking for

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 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

What the school offers its staff

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

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment practices and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed, this may include online searches. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

About Abbey Hill Academy

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 19
School size
367 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 19
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
Phone number
01642 677113

Abbey Hill Academy & Abbey Hill Academy Sixth Form are at the forefront of current developments in the education of young people with special needs. We specialise in meeting the needs of students aged 11 to 19 who have a full range of learning disabilities.

Abbey Hill Academy, where this post will be situated, provides for approximately 320 young people aged 11 to 19 years who have learning difficulties, as well as other physical, medical and social needs.

Arranging a visit to Abbey Hill Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email helen.mett@horizonstrust.org.uk.

School location

Similar jobs nearby

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Stockton On Tees