Sunningdale School - Teacher
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
06/02/2026
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 16/02/2026 12:00
Salary:
MPR/UPR (+ SEN 1 ALLOWANCE)
Job Category:
Schools - Teaching
Employment Location:
Sunningdale School
Further Information
SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL
School: Sunningdale School
Address: Doxford Park Way, Sunderland, SR3 2PP.
Tel: (0191) 528 0440
Email: office@sunningdaleschool.com
Web: www.sunningdaleschool.com
Headteacher: Mr J. Waller
Number on Roll: 160
TEACHER- PERMANENT
MPR/UPR (+ SEN 1 ALLOWANCE)
START DATE : 20th April 2026
“From the moment pupils start at Sunningdale school, they receive the highest levels of care, support and learning to enable them to be their best selves; as the school motto says, to ‘be more’. “ Ofsted, 2023.
This is a unique opportunity to join the outstanding teaching team at Sunningdale School. Sunningdale School is a consistently outstanding specialist setting that offers a child centred curriculum for pupils with Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (including those with Autism).
“Leaders have developed an inspirational curriculum that ensures that learning is tailored to meet the needs of all pupils. Because of this, pupils display exceptionally high levels of engagement in learning. They make rapid progress from their starting points.” Ofsted, 2023.
Sunningdale Special School in Sunderland is looking for outstanding practitioners to join our growing staff team. We would invite applications from Teachers interested in working within any of the school’s curriculum pathways: Pre-formal, Informal, Semi-formal or Formal Pathways.
We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner with experience of teaching within a specialist setting. Applicants must have a good understanding of child development and specifically the development of those with complex cognitive, physical and health needs. The role will involve working as part of a multi-professional team on a daily basis. Effective classroom management, including leading other adults, is key to the role.
The successful candidate should have qualified teacher status (QTS) and be an excellent classroom practitioner, with knowledge and an understanding of pupils with SLD/PMLD/Autism, have experience of using a range of teaching methods and communication strategies, have excellent communication skills and have the capacity to inspire and motivate children within an innovative and research driven curriculum model. Successful applicants will be reflective practitioners that are able to develop and adapt their practice to meet the individualised needs of pupils within the context of the school’s strong ethos of preparation for adulthood, life and the wider world.
Staff that work at the school benefit from the school’s status as a national Stronger Practice Hub, a national Exemplar School for multi-tiered specialist curricular models, a member of the National Network of Specialist Provisions, a member of the Creativity and Culture in Education network and the Federation of Leaders of Special Education. Staff from the school contribute to published research, The National SEND Forum, DFE Expert Advisory groups, Equals, the Council for Disabled Children, Ofsted Reference groups and steering groups for organisations such as Evidence for Learning. The school delivers a range of specialist training including delivery of a bespoke ITT programme and the Early Career Framework (ECF) regionally.
The school regularly hosts visitors from Departments for Education as well as specialist and mainstream provisions from across the UK, Asia, South America and Australasia. The school works closely with the Department for Education in England and was the only specialist school in the country to officially host official ministerial visits in 2024-25. In September 2025 the school opened a specialist Early Years provision based in Ryhope, Sunderland. The role may involve working at or across any of our campus’ (Doxford Park or Ryhope).
Please see: http://www.sunningdaleschool.com/curriculum/curriculumoverview.htm for an overview of the school’s curriculum or please check out our YouTube channel for a unique insight into the school’s approach to developing outcomes for our pupils: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Uchhsbm8prAeULQnLeqds22VmbL6G3j&si=jtuvxVRdxMETJfs0
All shortlisted candidates will attend for a full day involving activities (with pupils and meeting our staff team) as well as a formal interview with senior leaders.
The closing date for applications will be Monday 16th February at 12pm. Shortlisting will take place on Monday 16th February with interviews on Thursday 19th February.
There will be an opportunity to visit the school at 4pm on 11th February. To arrange to look around the school please contact office@sunningdaleschool.com.
Teachers are busy- Visiting the school is not a pre-requisite to shortlisting.
Previous applicants are invited to apply should they wish.
Please also return completed application forms (all parts) to office@sunningdaleschool.com
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
School safeguards and protects its students and staff in accordance with Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures and Policies.
If you are interested in joining a forward thinking school and require further information please contact the school on 0191 5280440 or office@sunningdaleschool.com
CLOSING DATE: Monday 16th February at 12pm
Please note
This job is closed for applications.