SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager
Waingels, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 4RF16 days remaining to apply
Start date details
April/May 2026 (or earlier by negotiation)
Closing date
13 February 2026 at 11am
Date listed
27 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance + TLR2 initially, rising to TLR1 as the Unit expands
Additional allowances
MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance + TLR2 initially, rising to TLR1 as the Unit expands
SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager job summary
SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager
Salary: MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance + TLR2 initially, rising to TLR1 as the Unit expands
Start Date: April/May 2026 (or earlier by negotiation)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Waingels, Woodley - Brand-New Secondary Autism (ASC) Unit in a Purpose-Built Facility
A Unique Leadership Opportunity in a Brand-New Specialist Unit
Waingels is a values-driven, inclusive school where everyone belongs, thrives and succeeds, underpinned by our culture of Kindness, Respect, Responsibility and Pride. In partnership with the Local Authority, we are opening a brand-new Secondary Autism (ASC) Unit, complete with a newly built, purpose-designed facility to ensure an autism-friendly, calm and structured learning environment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a colleague to lead, shape and manage a brand-new SEND Unit from its very foundation.
Your Role: Lead the Unit, the Staff Team, and the New Building
As the SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager, you will not only teach and oversee provision — you will manage every aspect of the Unit with support from the School’s Leadership Team and SEND Team, including:
- Leadership and management of the dedicated staff team
- Oversight of the new building and its daily operations
- Responsibility for the learning environment, safety, routines and specialist resourcing
Crucially, you will also have significant input into the design, internal layout, zoning, and resourcing of the Unit, ensuring that the physical environment fully supports structured teaching, curriculum, sensory regulation and personalised learning.
This is your chance to build a high‑quality ASC provision that reflects both best practice and your professional vision.
The Unit opens in September 2026 with its first cohort of 5 Year 7 pupils — deliberately small to allow the Manager to:
- Design and implement an adaptive curriculum
- Establish systems, culture and routines from day one
- Implement targeted interventions
- Model effective autism‑informed practice
- Build strong partnerships with mainstream teachers, leaders and external agencies
- Develop personalised timetables and support pathways
- Induct support staff
About Waingels
Waingels is an inclusive community where students feel safe, valued and supported, and where diversity and difference are celebrated.
We offer a curriculum that is broad, balanced, adaptive and personalised, continuously evolving to respond to student needs and interests. Our investment in wellbeing hub, sensory and mindfulness spaces, specialist colleagues and adjusted learning environments reflects our commitment to removing barriers and helping every student achieve their full potential.
Key Responsibilities
1. Unit Leadership, Staffing & Building Management
- Lead the overall operation of the ASC Unit, ensuring it is safe, calm and autism-friendly.
- Manage Unit staff (TAs, key workers), including deployment and performance oversight.
- Oversee the daily functioning, organisation and safety of the new Unit building.
- Shape the design, layout, zoning and specialist resources within the Unit.
- Ensure structured routines and high expectations for pupils.
2. Curriculum, Teaching & Learning
- Design and deliver an adaptive, personalised curriculum for autistic pupils in KS3/4.
- Teach small groups or individuals, using autism‑informed strategies and structured teaching.
- Implement sensory, communication and SEMH interventions.
3. Pupil Progress & EHCP Delivery
- Lead EHCP implementation, support reviews and multi-agency collaboration.
- Monitor academic, behavioural, attendance and SEMH indicators.
4. Inclusion & Collaboration
- Work with mainstream teachers to support access to subject lessons.
- Provide staff training and guidance on autism-friendly practice.
5. Environment & Resource Leadership
- Create autism-friendly learning zones, sensory spaces and structured teaching areas.
- Manage specialist resources, sensory tools and assistive technologies.
Person Specification
Essential
- QTS
- Substantial experience supporting autistic pupils (preferably KS3/4)
- Understanding of adolescent autism, sensory profiles and emotional regulation
- Leadership and team management skills
- Experience leading professional meetings
- Expertise in curriculum adaptation and personalised planning
Desirable
- NASENCO or specialist autism qualification
- Experience with autism interventions (e.g., Zones of Regulation, SCERTS)
- Experience developing alternative or personalised pathways
- Experience managing or helping establish a specialist provision
Why This Role Is Special
- You will lead a brand-new Unit from day one — shaping its culture, curriculum and systems.
- You will manage the new building, its routines, safety and specialist resources.
- You will influence the final layout and design decisions, ensuring the space truly meets autistic pupils’ needs.
- You start with a small, manageable first cohort, enabling purposeful, high-quality development.
- You join a school that lives its inclusive values and continually invests in SEND provision.
How to Apply
Our staff and students are proud of our school and we would be happy to welcome you if you would like to come and have a closer look round before applying. Additionally, please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation with a hiring manager.
Contact: Mollie Williams (HR Administrator)
Phone number: 0118 969 0336
Email: HRandrecruitment@waingels.wokingham.sch.uk.
All of our vacancies are advertised on My New Term and we can only accept applications that are submitted via this platform.
The deadline for applications is set for Friday 13th February 2026 at 12 noon with interviews expected to take place w/c 23rd February 2026. However, we will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and reserve the right to close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The school is committed to safeguarding, equal opportunities and to promoting the welfare of all staff and students.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The college is committed to safeguarding, equal opportunities and to promoting the welfare of all staff and students
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Waingels
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1421 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Waingels website
Waingels is a very successful 11 to 18 Comprehensive school serving its local community. Our successes and achievements can be attributed to our commitment to establish and grow a Better Never Stops culture, providing a safe, inclusive and rich learning environment where students feel safe and valued, founded on respectful relationships for all. Our ethos and culture are values based. We set high standards and expect all our students and staff to be respectful, kind, resilient and proud of our school, our achievements and our community.
School location
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