SEND Secondary Teacher, Croydon

Secondary Teacher – Specialist SEND Provision

Location: Croydon
Working Hours: 08:00 am – 16:00 pm.
Salary: M1 – UPS3 (+ SEN Allowance) 

Are you a resilient, compassionate, and dedicated educator with a passion for supporting secondary-aged students with complex social, emotional, and mental health needs?

We are seeking an experienced and adaptable Special Needs Teacher to work primarily across Key Stages 3 and 4, delivering personalised education and therapeutic support to students who may have experienced barriers to learning, disrupted education, or challenges with emotional regulation and behaviour.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people within a nurturing and trauma-informed school environment that values inclusion, consistency, and holistic development.

At the school, they are committed to creating a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment where students feel understood, respected, and empowered to succeed both academically and personally. The provision supports students with a range of additional needs, including:

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH)
• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• ADHD and associated behavioural needs
• Speech, language and communication difficulties
• Attachment and trauma-related needs
• Moderate learning difficulties (MLD)

The school places a strong emphasis on relationship-based practice, emotional wellbeing, behaviour support, and preparing students for successful futures through both academic and vocational pathways.

Key Responsibilities

● Plan and Deliver Tailored Lessons: Create engaging, differentiated, and therapeutic learning experiences that meet the individual needs of students with SEND and SEMH needs.

● Support Academic and Personal Growth: Develop students’ confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills alongside academic achievement.

● Develop and Review Individual Education Plans (IEPs): Work collaboratively with support staff, families, therapists, and external agencies to create and review personalised learning and behaviour targets.

● Support Positive Behaviour Strategies: Implement consistent routines, restorative approaches, and behaviour support plans to help students regulate emotions and remain engaged in learning.

● Prepare Students for the Future: Deliver functional learning, life skills, and employability-focused opportunities that prepare students for further education, training, and independence.

● Monitor and Assess Progress: Track academic, emotional, and behavioural progress, adapting teaching approaches to ensure students continue to achieve positive outcomes.

● Create a Safe Learning Environment: Foster a calm, inclusive, and nurturing classroom culture where students feel secure, valued, and motivated to learn.

● Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, pastoral staff, therapists, and external professionals to provide holistic support for students.

Qualifications and Skills Required

● Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.

● Experience working within SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, or specialist settings is highly desirable.

● Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, behaviour support strategies, and relationship-based approaches.

● Experience supporting students with SEMH, ASD, ADHD, attachment needs, or behavioural challenges.

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

● Resilience, patience, and adaptability when working with students who may display dysregulated or challenging behaviours.

● Confidence in differentiating the secondary curriculum to support varied learning abilities and needs.

● Familiarity with restorative practice, emotional regulation strategies, and alternative communication approaches is beneficial.

● A strong commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and student wellbeing.

What Makes a Successful Secondary Special Needs Teacher?

● Empathy and Consistency: The ability to build trusting relationships and provide stability for students who need structure and support.

● Resilience and Adaptability: Confidence in responding calmly and positively to challenges within the classroom environment.

● Strong Behaviour Management: The ability to implement therapeutic and restorative approaches that support emotional regulation and engagement.

● Collaboration: A proactive approach to working as part of a multidisciplinary and pastoral team.

● Passion for Inclusion: A genuine belief in every young person’s potential, regardless of their barriers to learning.

● Vision and Drive: A commitment to helping students develop confidence, independence, and positive pathways for the future.

About us:

We are Engage Education, the most trusted education recruitment agency, with professional development and support at our core.

• Get paid in line with national scales (AWR compliant)
• Free CPD sessions
• Your own dedicated consultant
• Receive a £50 Amazon voucher when you refer friends!
• Wellbeing support, travel discounts, and retail offers from our partners

How to apply:

You can apply for this role below or get in touch with us directly. All applicants require the appropriate qualifications.

If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful in this role. All applicants must have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting work. Full assistance will be provided.

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