Birchwood Community High School is opening a specialist SEMH designated provision supporting secondary-aged pupils who are unable to access mainstream education. We work with young people who often present with social, emotional and mental health needs, behavioural challenges, school refusal, anxiety, low confidence and a history of negative experiences in education.

Our approach is relationship-led, trauma-informed, and built around small group teaching, strong routines and consistently high expectations. We provide a calm, structured environment where pupils can re-engage with learning, build confidence and achieve meaningful outcomes.

We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Key Stage 3 Teacher to join our growing team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a teacher who wants to make a genuine impact in a small setting, with significantly smaller class sizes than mainstream and a strong pastoral team around you.

You will be responsible for delivering engaging, accessible and high-quality education to a small class of pupils with SEMH needs, supporting them to develop academic skills across a range of subjects, confidence and positive attitudes towards learning. This role is especially suitable for a qualified teacher with experience in a specialist setting or Alternative Provision. 

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging and inclusive lessons to small SEMH classes
• Plan, teach and assess across KS3
• Adapt teaching to meet a wide range of needs
• Use practical, visual and supportive approaches to promote engagement
• Track and record pupil progress in both academic and personal development
• Work closely with support staff to deliver personalised learning
• Support pupils to build confidence, resilience and a positive relationship
• Contribute to reports, reviews and pupil support plans where required
• Maintain high standards of behaviour, safeguarding and wellbeing
• Attend staff briefings and relevant training during the placement

The ideal candidate

You will:

• Hold QTS (or an equivalent teaching qualification)
• Experience of teaching within either SEMH special school, Alternative provision or primary colleagues who have experience supporting children with challenging behaviour and cooccurring diagnosis such as autism and ADHD
• Have experience teaching at KS3 or within the primary sector
• Be calm, consistent and confident working with behaviour that can present challenges
• Be passionate about supporting pupils to re-engage and succeed
• Be organised, reflective and committed to high standards
• Want to work in a small, supportive, fast-growing SEMH setting

AP/SEMH experience is desirable, but not absolutely essential for the right candidate. This post is not suitable for an early career teacher

What we offer

• Small group teaching (no mainstream class sizes)
• Supportive team and strong pastoral systems
• Calm, structured setting with clear routines
• Opportunity to shape curriculum and provision
• Meaningful work with strong professional development opportunities

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Further details can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs. This position is subject to a disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Please see the linked documents below for further details. If, prior to submitting an application, you would like to see for yourself why we believe this is such a fabulous school in which to work, then do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a visit.

Start Date: May 2026
Salary: TPS plus SEND allowance
Salary Grade: NJC Grade 4
Contract Term: Permanent
Contract Type: Full time

KS3 Designated Provision Teacher – Job Advert

KS3 Designated Provision Teacher – Application Pack

Closing date for application: 9am Tuesday 17^th February. Interview date: Week commencing 23^rd February 2026.

Application forms should be returned to joinus@birchwoodhigh.org and preferably not through TES.

Birchwood Community High School is a vibrant and inclusive secondary school committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. We pride ourselves on our strong pastoral care, positive relationships, and a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The Role
We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and knowledgeable Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our team. The successful candidate will take strategic and operational responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding and child protection across the school.

This is a key position requiring a deep understanding of statutory safeguarding guidance, strong partnership working skills, and the ability to act decisively in the best interests of children.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on all safeguarding and child protection matters in line with statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Act as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Work closely with external agencies including children’s social care, the local authority, and other statutory bodies.
• Ensure accurate, secure, and confidential record keeping.
• Provide safeguarding advice, support, and training to staff.
• Promote a culture of vigilance and safeguarding awareness across the school community.
• Contribute to safeguarding audits, policy development, and compliance monitoring.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience in safeguarding and child protection within an educational setting.
• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• DSL training (or willingness to undertake training immediately).
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• The ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and resilience.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• A strong safeguarding culture embedded across the school.
• Opportunities to shape and develop safeguarding strategy.
• No expectation to be in work during the school holidays, only as and when needed.

Safeguarding Statement
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Further details can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs. This position is subject to a disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

How to Apply
Application forms and further details are available below or by contacting the school directly.

Start Date: April 2026
Salary: £39,152 – £42,839
Salary Grade: NJC Grade 8
Contract Term: Permanent
Contract Type: Full time

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Job Advert

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Application Pack

Closing date for application: 9am Friday 27^th February. Interview date: Week commencing 2^nd March 2026.

Application forms should be returned to joinus@birchwoodhigh.org and preferably not through TES.