SEN Life Skills Teacher

Location: Bucknall, Stoke on Trent

Salary: £28,000 - £38,810 (M1 - M6)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Term time only

Close date: 29th June 2023

The Aurora Group is an innovative provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. 

We are currently looking for a Life skills class teacher within our Secondary Department (Key Stage 3-5) in Stoke on Trent where our 'Outstanding' rated Aurora Hanley School supports young people aged 6 - 19 with complex needs typically related to Autism and Communication difficulties. Behaviour is exemplary and we have a caring supportive team. Our Pathways include a GCSE Pathway alongside a Functional skills/Entry level Pathway.

The Life skills classes offer a small, nurturing base for students who then access a range of suitable courses at a range of levels including Entry level, Functional skills, GCSE and ASDAN. The Life skills teacher will teach both a maths and English set alongside ASDAN and other appropriate courses and accreditation.

You will have the skills and knowledge to deliver relevant qualifications to our students. NQTs or ECTs are welcome to apply.  This is an exciting time to join us as we look to review our curriculum, and are looking for someone dynamic and inspirational to join us on our journey.

Our classes are based on 6/7 pupils in a group, with a Teacher and a TA.

The main purpose of the role:

As our Life skills teacher, your role will be to provide high quality, challenging and differentiated educational activities and experiences through the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum to enable our pupils to achieve their full potential in all areas of learning.

To facilitate this, you’ll plan and deliver lessons according to DFE guidance and the school’s policies and be responsible for the day to day running of the class and other relevant aspects of the running of the school.

You’ll supervise and provide support and guidance to our Teaching Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants and play a key role in their Professional Development Reviews.

Naturally, you will take responsibility for implementing school policies and practices, including those relating to safeguarding and equality of opportunity. Additionally; you will also be expected to carefully monitoring the health, well-being and personal care of our pupils; informing care/medical/behavioural support teams and any other relevant professionals of any concerns.

Key duties: 

• Deliver the curriculum as prescribed by our schemes of work.
• Effectively plan lessons that are stimulating, relevant and well-structured to a wide range of abilities and communication needs to ensure all students are able to participate and reach their full potential.
• Work with the Head Teacher and other members of the leadership team to ensure the successful delivery of the vision, ethos, aims and objectives of the School.
• Deliver the ethos of the school and the educational vision and direction which enables effective teaching and support, successful learning and achievement by students and sustained improvement in their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical well-being in preparation for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
• Deliver effective teaching and learning and monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching support and standards of students’ achievement, using benchmarks and setting targets for improvement.
• Monitor, evaluate and review practice in the classroom and implement strategies to ensure that under-performance is challenged and appropriate changes to practice are implemented.
• Participate in the recruitment and retention of the best employees and ensure an effective induction for all new starters.
• Work in partnership with all school staff, parents, carers and other agencies in providing for the academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families. 

Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required. 

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidate qualities, skills and experience:

• Qualified Teacher status
• Thorough working knowledge of the curriculum and how to adapt this for pupils with SEN
• Experience of working with young people with ASD
• Understanding of the Safeguarding principles and Child Protection procedures
• Ability to create and maintain nurturing relationships with young people
• Experience of managing a range of approaches to learning, to include the students with anxiety.
• Knowledge of strategies and visual teaching methods to engage reluctant learners important.
• A flexible approach and a high level creativity

Benefits and Additional Information

What’s on offer?

• Full training and continued support
• Life assurance and pension
• Health cash back plan
• Car lease scheme
• Bike to work scheme 
• Perk box - discounts off 100's of high street retailers and restaurants 
• Free parking

For more information on this position please contact Karen on 07920 223 415 or via email at karen.barnfield@the-aurora-group.com 

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care.