SEN Art Teacher

East London | Specialist Autism School | Full-Time | Permanent

£40,000 - £58,000 + SEN Allowance

Are you a creative and passionate Art Teacher who understands the importance of creativity, communication and self-expression for autistic children and young people?

Do you enjoy creating engaging learning experiences that help pupils build confidence, develop communication skills and achieve meaningful progress?

Would you like to work within a specialist autism school where every lesson is tailored to the individual needs of learners and creativity is celebrated as a powerful tool for engagement and development?

A highly regarded specialist autism school in East London is seeking an SEN Art Teacher to join its dedicated team. The school supports children and young people aged 4-19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), including pupils with complex communication needs, sensory processing differences and associated learning difficulties.

The school adopts a highly personalised and therapeutic approach to education, placing communication, emotional wellbeing and individual progress at the centre of its curriculum. Staff work collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Behaviour Specialists and support staff to deliver outstanding outcomes for autistic learners.

As an Art Teacher, you will use creativity as a vehicle for communication, emotional expression, sensory exploration and personal development whilst delivering an engaging and accessible Art curriculum tailored to a wide range of learning needs.

Key Responsibilities

- Plan and deliver highly differentiated Art lessons across Key Stages 2-5.

- Adapt learning activities to meet the needs of autistic pupils with a range of communication, sensory and cognitive profiles.

- Develop creativity, confidence, self-expression and emotional literacy through a broad range of artistic media.

- Create structured and autism-friendly learning environments that support engagement, predictability and success.

- Utilise visual supports, structured teaching approaches and personalised communication strategies to maximise pupil participation.

- Deliver sensory-rich and practical learning experiences that promote curiosity, exploration and independence.

- Support pupils to develop fine motor skills, communication skills and social interaction through creative activities.

- Work collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and wider multidisciplinary teams to support EHCP outcomes.

- Contribute to annual reviews, target setting and personalised learning programmes.

- Organise displays, exhibitions, enrichment projects and creative events that celebrate pupil achievement.

- Support positive behaviour, emotional regulation and wellbeing through therapeutic and relationship-based approaches.

- Maintain high expectations whilst recognising and celebrating individual progress and achievement.

Person Specification

- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.

- Art specialism or significant experience teaching Art.

- Understanding of Autism Spectrum Condition and specialist SEND practice.

- Experience adapting learning for pupils with communication and interaction needs.

- Strong classroom management and relationship-building skills.

- Understanding of structured teaching approaches and visual learning strategies.

- Creative, flexible and highly reflective approach to teaching.

- Commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for autistic learners.

What the School Offers

- Small class sizes and exceptional staffing ratios.

- Extensive specialist Autism training and professional development.

- Support from an experienced multidisciplinary team including Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists.

- Excellent specialist facilities and creative resources.

- Clear progression opportunities within a highly respected specialist provision.

- Supportive leadership team committed to staff wellbeing and development.

- Opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of autistic children and young people.

INDEDU