Class Teacher

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Title:     Class Teacher - Maternity Cover

Location:     Higford School, Shifnal, Shropshire

Salary:          Up to £44,310 per annum

Hours:          37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday

Contract:     Fixed term ending December 2025; Term time only

Are you a Teacher committed to improving the lives of young people?

To cover maternity leave, we are looking for enthusiastic Teachers to join our fantastic team at Options Higford. In this role you will take a creative approach to teaching pupils in an individualised way, ensuring delivery of their personalised curriculums in a way that maximises pupil’s achievement and ability to progress.

About the role

This is a great opportunity for a Teacher who wants to have the opportunity to work flexibly, focusing on each individual and who is skilled at developing creative learning opportunities for pupils with varied and complex needs. Your work will be challenging and rewarding in equal measure and you will be working in a school where we maintain a strong safeguarding culture, where pupils are listened to, respected and involved in as many decisions as possible. 

When it comes to looking after our pupils, we never settle for second best. We are looking for a Teacher experienced in teaching a range of subjects and who shares our vision to build incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people in the UK to be happy and to make their way in the world. 

Educated to degree level and/or of Qualified Teacher Status, you will be calm, engaging, resilient, and have an innovative style of teaching, motivated by helping every pupil to reach their potential. 

Whilst previous experience of working in an SEN/ASC environment would be desirable, excellent teaching skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are just as important.

Essential:

• Educated to GCSE level and A level, or equivalent
• QTS or equivalent
• Experience of working with pupils with SEN, particularly ASC (highly desirable)
• Experience of working with pupils with challenging behaviour (highly desirable)
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team or with a therapist (highly desirable)

About us

Options Higford is a special school set in 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide a high quality, holistic education for up to 60 autistic students who also have associated behavioural needs. Class groups have five students in with at least 1:1 staffing. We provide personalised curriculums for each student based on their individual needs and aim to support them to make progress academically, socially, with skills for life, regulating their emotions and accessing the community.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.