PLEASE NOTE: We are currently unable to offer sponsorship or sponsorship swaps.

DRIVERS ESSENTIAL – You must hold a full UK driving licence, have access to your own vehicle and have business-use insurance.

AP Teacher – Alternative Provision

Flexible between 8am–6pm | Term-Time | 4 Days Per Week | 8:00am–6:00pm

Job Summary

We are an Alternative Provision, supporting children and young people with a range of needs, including SEMH, learning disabilities, SEND and behaviours that may challenge. We are an Alternative Provision in Gloucester, supporting children and young people aged 4 to 25 who, for a variety of reasons, may not thrive within mainstream or specialist education settings.

We are not currently a registered school; however, we are working towards becoming an independent school, making this an exciting opportunity for a Teacher who wants to be part of that journey and help shape how our education provision develops.

We are also very different from a mainstream school.

Our young people are generally supported 1:1 or 2:1 by Teaching Assistants, rather than learning within traditional classrooms. As the Teacher, you will use each young person’s EHCP, individual outcomes, abilities and interests to develop meaningful learning plans and targets. Our Teaching Assistants then support young people to engage with these plans through play, exploration, experiences, independence skills and activities that are meaningful to them.

You will be based within the provision and available to guide, coach and support Teaching Assistants, but you will not necessarily be leading a classroom or physically present throughout every learning session.

What you’ll be doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing individual learning plans and setting appropriate targets based on EHCP outcomes and assessed needs.
• Planning creative and meaningful learning opportunities suitable for each young person.
• Supporting and guiding Teaching Assistants to confidently deliver learning activities.
• Monitoring, assessing and recording progress against individual targets.
• Reviewing work and providing constructive feedback.
• Attending and contributing to EHCP reviews and other professional meetings.
• Working collaboratively with families, professionals and the wider education team.
• Identifying emerging or additional SEND needs and ensuring appropriate support is considered.
• Ensuring appropriate educational resources and reasonable adjustments are available.
• Maintaining accurate education, SEND and progress records.
• Supporting colleagues with advice, guidance and training around SEND and individual learning needs.
• Contributing to curriculum development and our journey towards independent school registration.
• Supporting quality assurance and continuous improvement across the provision.
• You may be expected to travel between our different provisions as we have another provision in Hereford where required.

The reality of working in our provision

We want to be upfront about what joining us looks like.

Our young people haven’t necessarily thrived within traditional education. Their needs can be complex, and some may experience dysregulation or behaviours that challenge. Building relationships and finding the right way for an individual to engage can take time, creativity, patience and resilience.

Progress won’t always look like completing a worksheet or achieving an academic grade. Sometimes progress is a young person engaging for longer, communicating a choice, developing independence or successfully trying something they previously avoided.

You will therefore need to be comfortable thinking beyond a traditional classroom and supporting your team to do the same.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with:

• Can work 8:00am–6:00pm 4 days per week.
• Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to their own vehicle with business-use insurance.
• An appropriate teaching/education qualification and relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of SEND.
• Experience supporting children or young people with additional or complex needs.
• Good understanding of EHCPs, assessment and individualised learning.
• The confidence to guide and develop Teaching Assistants.
• Strong organisation, record-keeping and communication skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with families and other professionals.
• Is patient, adaptable and able to remain calm during challenging situations.
• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people who may have struggled within traditional education.
• Ability to travel between provisions where required.

Who are we?

We were established in 2020 by Jack, who experienced significant challenges within the education and care system himself as a child. Those experiences shaped his determination to create the type of service he felt was missing.

Our Gloucester provision has been developed to give young people different opportunities to engage and learn. Our facilities include an IT suite, games room, library, independence kitchen and sensory spaces, alongside opportunities to learn and develop through activities and experiences outside the provision.

We’re proud that we’re different, but we’re also upfront about what that means.

Every day can look different. What worked with a young person yesterday might not work today. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, creative and resilient, while maintaining professional boundaries and putting the young person’s safety and wellbeing first.

What we offer

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Workplace pension
• Bespoke induction and ongoing training
• Team Teach training
• Scheduled INSET and team-building days
• Career development and qualification opportunities
• Early-pay access
• Statutory sick pay
• Employee recognition scheme
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Travel expenses between branches
• Monthly Employee Raffle – You can win a variety of prizes, from a box of chocolate to a holiday abroad.
• Annual Christmas party
• Access to our optional Perks scheme, including a 24/7 private GP, mental health support and retail discounts, with benefits available to your household too
• The opportunity to grow with us and be part of our journey towards becoming an independent school

Could you help us do education differently?

We’re not looking for someone who simply wants to stand at the front of a classroom and deliver the same lesson to everyone.

We’re looking for a Teacher who can understand each young person, identify what they need to achieve, create meaningful learning opportunities and give our Teaching

If that sounds like the kind of education you believe in, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today, or get in touch with us to find out more about the provision and the role.

First Thought Care Services Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults we support. Appointment will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £37,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• Store discount

Experience:

• SEN: 1 year (preferred)
• Teaching: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)
• QTS (required)

Work Location: In person