SEND Teacher (Maternity Cover)
Job Summary
Contract Type:
Fixed Term
Working Pattern:
Full time - term time
Advert Start Date:
19/10/2026
Advert End Date:
06/11/2026 12:00
Salary:
Main Pay Scale M1 to Upper Pay Scale U3, £34,069 - £52,835 per annum, plus SEN Allowance £2,885 per annum.
Job Category:
Schools - Teaching
Employment Location:
Low Fell, Gateshead
Further Information
About the role:
We are looking for a teacher to join our creative, nurturing school community at Cedars Academy, an all-through specialist academy in Gateshead for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, and deliver meaningful, bespoke education to children who learn differently.
You will lead one of our EYFS or Key Stage 1 or 2 classes for pupils with complex cognitive and emotional needs. This suits an experienced SEND or EYFS or primary practitioner who can plan and deliver an engaging curriculum in a practical, sensory-led way. You will plan creative learning around communication, emotional regulation and independence, use Total Communication and assistive technology, with training provided, and work closely with therapists, specialist staff and families.
Cedars is a warm community where staff shape their own professional development and contribute to evidence-informed practice. If you have the energy and empathy to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you. This post is not suitable for ECTs.
Key duties:
• Plan and teach an inclusive curriculum that meets each child's developmental and sensory needs, working with your team and guiding teaching assistants.
• Assess and record progress, and use our tracking systems to make timely interventions.
• Create a purposeful, positive and safe classroom that is sensitive to individual needs.
• Write pupil reports, run Personal Learning Plans and attend review and parent meetings.
• Build strong communication with parents, carers, social workers and other professionals.
• Help develop an inclusive, relevant curriculum with our leadership team.
• Take part in training and our research-based professional development programme.
Person requirements:
Essential:
- Qualified Teacher Status, with an Early Years or Primary qualification;
- experience of supporting children with additional needs and understanding barriers to learning for pupils with complex needs;
- experience of promoting safeguarding in a school;
- knowledge of working with pupils with SEN, autism, and emotional, behavioural or communication difficulties;
- sound knowledge of the EYFS and or KS1 and KS2 curriculum;
- warm, enthusiastic, adaptable and a strong communicator and team member.
Desirable:
- experience in a specialist setting; experience of an EYFS or semi-formal curriculum;
- evidence of continuing professional development.
Salary and hours:
MPS or UPS plus SEN allowance of 2,885 pounds per annum. Full time. Fixed term, two terms initially, and may be extended depending on the substantive teacher's return. Start January/February 2027
Keeping children safe
Cedars Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance for children, online searches, and completion of safeguarding training.
Any offer is subject to right-to-work checks, teacher status and prohibition checks and a health questionnaire. Cedars is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer and will shortlist for interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria for the role.
How to apply:
Apply online using the Apply now button where the full job description and person specification can be downloaded.
We would love you to see our school before you apply. To arrange a visit or a chat about the role, please email Joanne Carr, Deputy Headteacher, at joanne.carr@cedarstrust.org.uk
Closing date: Friday 6 November 2026, 12 noon
Interviews: Wednesday 11 November 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply early.