Job Introduction

Teacher Vacancy

If you share our values of teamwork, inclusion and innovation and have high expectations of what children can achieve, we would love to hear from you. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic teacher to join our existing committed team.

We are a Community Special School for children and young people from the ages of 2–19 years, with 116 on roll. Our pupils have severe learning difficulties, or profound and multiple learning difficulties. The designation of the school means that pupils typically have complex needs, and medical needs requiring a high degree of differentiation and bespoke provision. In most cases our pupils will be working below the national curriculum and the equivalent of Expected Levels for NCY1.

We value a happy, healthy and secure learning environment in which all the needs of pupils are met, enabling each young person to reach their individual potential and to maximise their independence. 

We are judged Good by Ofsted (October 2022) and we are ambitious in our vision for the future provision for our pupils. We offer small classes, typically less than 10 pupils per class, working within large teams of support staff and additional NHS therapists, and have newly refurbished high-spec learning spaces throughout most of the school. 

Please see our website www.johnwatsonschool.org for further information about the school. Please consider the job description and person specification below and complete an application form. Visits to the school are welcome and provide the chance to meet our pupils and staff, see our learning environment, and discuss the role - including the curriculum leadership responsibilities linked to the TLR.

Job Description – Class Teacher

General Duties

Carry out the professional duties of a teacher as outlined in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document and meet the Teachers’ Standards.
Follow all current school policies, procedures and protocols and uphold the good reputation of the school.

Specific Duties: Class Teacher

• Establish and maintain an appropriately ordered learning environment with displays of student work which comply with school-wide guidance and expectations

• Use formative and summative assessments to secure pupils’ progress

• Be accountable for pupils’ attainment, progress and outcomes

• Be responsible for the pastoral care of students in your care promoting self-discipline and good behaviour at all times

• Deliver high quality teaching to students assigned to you

• Support and promote opportunities for 2-way inclusion with peers within school and with mainstream students as appropriate

• Ensure effective working partnership is established and maintained with the CNS and therapist teams

• Ensure effective home-school links are established and maintained, keeping logs of communications using school systems

• Contribute to effective shared communication and e-communication systems 

• Display a high regard for risk management through robust risk assessment and adherence to Behaviour and Safety Management policies

• Manage a weekly Team Meeting with your staff, or participate in a Key Stage meeting

• Attend and participate in a weekly Teachers Meetings

• Provide effective line management to your class team

• Perform regular dinner duties (as required)

• Lead school trips to further learning beyond the classroom

Person Specification

Essential 

• Meets Teachers’ Standards

• Recent classroom teaching experience 

• Excellent understanding of safeguarding and risk management

• Strong classroom organisation and behaviour management skills

• Proven ability to manage and develop a class team

• Strong communication skills with pupils, parents, staff, and external professionals

• Excellent IT and assessment skills

• Commitment to SEN provision and inclusive practice

Desirable

• Proven ability to lead curriculum change or development

• Experience monitoring provision across a Key Stage and/or curriculum area

• Recent experience contributing to curriculum design and training colleagues

• Middle leadership training

• Postgraduate qualification in SEN or subject leadership

Safeguarding and Application Process

Oxfordshire Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. These posts involve the type of work with children and young people that requires applicants to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.

Please complete the application form, which can be found on our website (www.johnwatsonschool.org), and return by email to sbm@johnwatsonschool.org.

Please do not send CVs; applications will only be considered using the correct application form. As part of our recruitment process we will require you to fill out an overseas check prior to interview. We will email this to you on receipt of your completed application.

Salary Details: MPR/UPR plus SEN Allowance 1 

Job Term: Permanent position 

Appointment Type: Full time (FTE)

Contact Telephone: 01865 452725

Closing Date: 9.00am Monday 6th October

Shortlisting: Monday 6th October

Interview Date: Friday 10th October 

To start: 01/01/2026

Wheatley Site: Littleworth Road, Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1NN

Holton Site: Steve Drywood Building, Wheatley Park School Campus, Holton, Oxford OX33 1QH

Tel: 01865 452 725