Secondary SEN Teacher - Autism & Complex Needs

Luton, Bedfordshire | Specialist SEN School | Full-Time | Long-Term
£220 - £290 per day | Immediate / January Start

Are you an experienced SEN Teacher looking for a long-term opportunity within a specialist secondary setting?

Do you enjoy working with young people who need a highly individualised approach to communication, behaviour and learning?

Would you like to join a growing specialist school where teachers have the freedom to adapt the curriculum around each pupil rather than expecting every learner to follow the same route?

A specialist SEN school based in Luton is looking to appoint an experienced Secondary SEN Teacher to join its team on a full-time, long-term basis.

The school supports secondary-aged pupils with a broad range of additional needs, including Autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, learning disabilities, sensory needs and associated behavioural or developmental needs.

All pupils have individualised learning needs and require teaching to be adapted around their ability, communication profile and EHCP outcomes. Some pupils access more formal academic learning, while others require a semi-formal or developmental curriculum focused more heavily on communication, independence and functional skills.

The successful teacher will lead a small specialist class supported by experienced Teaching Assistants and work closely with therapists and wider professionals to ensure pupils receive consistent support throughout the school day.

This is a particularly good opportunity for a teacher who enjoys structure, relationship-building and practical learning, and who understands that successful SEN teaching is about identifying what enables each individual pupil to engage.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for a specialist class of secondary-aged pupils with SEND.
• Plan and deliver highly differentiated lessons based around individual starting points and EHCP outcomes.
• Support pupils with Autism, ADHD, communication needs and complex additional needs.
• Adapt curriculum content significantly according to pupils' developmental and academic levels.
• Deliver appropriate English and Maths alongside wider curriculum learning.
• Provide practical, activity-based and functional learning opportunities where appropriate.
• Support pupils who may be working significantly below age-related expectations.
• Develop communication, confidence, independence and engagement with learning.
• Use clear routines and predictable classroom structures to help pupils feel safe and ready to learn.
• Allow appropriate processing time and adapt communication according to individual pupil needs.
• Use visual supports and alternative communication strategies where appropriate.
• Support pupils who may be non-speaking or have significant communication differences.
• Promote emotional regulation through positive and proactive approaches.
• Understand behaviour as communication and identify the underlying reasons behind behaviours that may challenge.
• Create a calm, consistent classroom environment with clear expectations and boundaries.
• Use pupils' interests and strengths to increase motivation and engagement.
• Develop functional literacy and numeracy where appropriate.
• Support pupils to develop practical life skills and greater independence.
• Prepare older pupils for the next stage of their education and eventual adulthood.
• Set and review individual learning targets.
• Monitor and evidence progress through assessment and observation.
• Contribute to EHCP reviews, Annual Reviews and wider pupil planning.
• Lead and effectively deploy Teaching Assistants within the classroom.
• Ensure support staff understand individual communication, behavioural and learning strategies.
• Work collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialist professionals.
• Incorporate recommendations from therapists into everyday classroom practice.
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, pupil welfare and professional practice.

We Are Looking For

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Experience teaching secondary-aged pupils.
• Previous experience within SEND, Autism or specialist educationwould be highly advantageous.
• Experience supporting pupils with Autism, ADHD or additional learning needs.
• Confidence teaching pupils working across a wide range of ability levels.
• A strong understanding of adaptive teaching and differentiation.
• The ability to plan around individual starting points rather than relying solely on age-related expectations.
• Strong classroom and behaviour management skills.
• A calm and consistent approach to supporting pupils with behavioural or emotional needs.
• An understanding that behaviour can be a form of communication.
• Confidence working with pupils who may require additional processing time or alternative methods of communication.
• The ability to make learning practical, engaging and meaningful.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Confidence leading Teaching Assistants and maintaining consistency across a classroom team.
• The ability to work effectively with therapists and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• A genuine commitment to developing pupils' confidence and independence.

Previous specialist SEN experience would be highly desirable, although applications are also welcomed from strong mainstream Secondary Teachers with significant SEND experience who want to develop their career within specialist education.

Why Consider This Role?

This is an opportunity to join a growing specialist SEN school where the curriculum is built around the learner rather than forcing every pupil through the same pathway.

Depending on individual need, pupils may access more formal academic teaching or a highly personalised programme focused on communication, functional learning, independence and preparation for adulthood.

Classes are supported by experienced staff, allowing teachers to properly understand individual pupils and adapt teaching around how they communicate, learn and regulate.

The school also takes a collaborative approach, with teachers working alongside Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and wider professionals to ensure strategies are embedded throughout everyday learning.

This would suit an experienced Secondary or SEN Teacher who enjoys working creatively, building strong relationships and seeing progress that extends beyond purely academic outcomes.

£220 - £290 per day | Full-Time | Long-Term | Luton, Bedfordshire

Apply now or send your CV to Stephen at KPI Education to be considered.

INDTEA