Classroom Teacher - Secondary SEN
About This Role
Charlton Park Academy is a well-established school located in South East London, dedicated to providing high-quality education and support for students with special educational needs.
We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Classroom Teacher - Secondary SEN to join our team. This role involves planning and delivering ambitious, well-sequenced learning that is adapted for pupils with ASD (including sensory autism), SLD, PMLD and complex communication needs.
At Charlton Park Academy, we actively welcome Early Career Teachers who are curious about SEND and committed to learning the craft of teaching well. You are not expected to arrive as a SEND expert. You are expected to be reflective, open to coaching and willing to learn.
Teaching at CPA is rooted in EYFS and Equals pathways, functional learning and Preparation for Adulthood — carefully sequenced to pupils’ developmental stages, not their chronological age. You will not be expected to deliver subject-specialist GCSE content.
Your ECT induction is carefully structured, with clear routines, protected time, and consistent mentoring. Instructional coaching focuses on small, high-impact improvements — what to do, why it works, and how to refine it — without judgement or overload.
We are an evidence-informed school, fully aligned to the Chartered College of Teaching Professional Framework, and we support ECTs to build strong foundations in communication, regulation, safeguarding and adaptive teaching. SEND practice here is deliberate, calm and grounded in research.
If you want to start your career in a school that takes your development seriously, protects your wellbeing, and helps you become a confident, skilled SEND teacher over time, Charlton Park Academy could be the right place to begin.
Skills and Qualifications
Strong adaptive teaching and curriculum thinking: able to break learning into meaningful steps.
Practical understanding that behaviour is communication; able to keep responses calm and consistent.
Ability to use communication supports (visuals/AAC) to improve participation and reduce frustration.
Secure understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and safer working practice.
Ability to evaluate impact (not just describe activity) and adjust practice accordingly.
Experience using structured programmes (e.g., TEACCH-style structure, Attention Autism, sensory regulation tools) appropriately for age and need.
Able to contribute to wider curriculum development within a SEND context.
Values and Attitudes
Commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued.
Patience, empathy, and understanding towards the challenges faced by SEN learners.
Warm, emotionally steady and reliable under pressure.
A collaborative approach working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Solution-focused and able to collaborate with colleagues and families.
Dedication to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
Passion for supporting the personal growth as well as academic progress of all pupils.
Reflective and open to coaching; committed to professional learning.
If you are enthusiastic about making a positive difference in the lives of young people with special educational needs, we would love to hear from you.
Please see the the Job Description and Person Specification and the Candidate Information Pack attached in the attached documents section below.
To apply for this position you must complete the Charlton Park Academy Application Form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form in the attached documents section below. Please note that the start date for the position is 15th April to 1st September (subject to availability of the candidate).
Please contact Nina Randall-Webb, HR and Resources Manager for more information about the position. Her email is:nrandall-webb@charltonparkacademy.co.uk