SEND Teacher

We are proud to be Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained Autism Specialist school and the world’s first IB special school. Following our Outstanding Ofsted rating in March 2024, we are expanding our provision and are now looking for a, passionate, and innovative Teacher to join our dynamic teaching team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a forward-thinking, trauma-informed, and inclusive setting that puts pupil wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils are autistic, each with their own strengths and challenges, and our mission — Enabling the Self — is to ensure they leave school confident, self-aware, and ready for the future.

As a Class teacher at The Cavendish School, you will play a vital role in supporting the communication and wellbeing of autistic pupils with complex needs by:

• Delivering high-quality, inclusive teaching to small classes of Key Stage 2 or 3 pupils, tailored to meet a range of learning profiles and sensory needs
• Planning and delivering a creative and engaging curriculum underpinned by the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and our therapeutic, trauma-informed approach
• Creating a structured, safe, and supportive learning environment that fosters pupil confidence, independence, and emotional regulation
• Leading on the development and review of EHCPs, including setting meaningful targets, tracking progress, and writing termly and annual reports
• Collaborating with families and professionals (inc. a consistent team of teaching assistants and therapists) to ensure a holistic, joined-up approach to each pupil’s education and wellbeing
• Contributing to a whole-school culture of reflective, trauma-informed practice rooted in our ethos of “enabling the self”.

We are looking for someone who believes that autism is not a limitation, but a different way of thinking and experiencing the world — and who is passionate about unlocking each pupil’s potential in a setting where their voice truly matters.

• Someone who is nurturing, proactive, and passionate about creating inclusive classroom environments where autistic pupils can thrive
• Experience of teaching pupils with SEND and/or autism, ideally in specialist or therapeutic educational settings
• Confidence in adapting teaching approaches to support a wide range of learning, sensory, and communication needs
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and classroom leadership skills
• A reflective and adaptable approach, with a commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred education
• Ability to contribute to EHCP processes, with strong report-writing and planning skills
• A desire to grow professionally within a multidisciplinary, supportive team that values innovation and empathy

Whether you’re experienced in special education or excited to transition into this rewarding field, we offer additional collaborative planning time, ongoing CPD, and a supportive community where your passion will truly make an impact

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offerhere .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work & electric car lease schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Ticket ballots for high profile events;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym…