What skills and experience we're looking for
SEN Class Teacher
MPS/UPS + 1 SEN Allowance
The Heights Academy, Auckland Drive, Solihull, B36 0DD
Full time, Permanent
Start Date – September 2025
Forward Education Trust is an established MAT of seven Special schools based in the West Midlands, covering areas in Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull.
The Heights Academy opened in September 2023 in a brand-new build, and this is a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of the next stage of the journey. All of our pupils have an EHCP with an Autism diagnosis possibly with associated SEMH. From September 2025, there will be two pathways for pupils – one where pupils will be working at age related expectations or have the capacity and ability to make the progress to do so; a second pathway for pupils working 3-4 years below age related expectations.
In September 2025, The Heights Academy will have 80 places for pupils in years 3 – 9, with capacity to expand over the coming years to hold 116 pupils across key stage 2, 3 and 4.
We are looking for an effective, creative, and inspirational SEN Class Teacher to join us who will be highly skilled, enthusiastic and motivated to help our students develop and reach their full potential.
The successful candidates will:
• Have previous teaching experience and skills of working with children in KS3 and KS4
• Have experience of working with children in SEND settings
• Have experience of working with children with Autism
• Have QTS status
We can offer you:
• A commitment to support you in developing new skills through a wide range of professional development opportunities and experiences.
• The opportunity to make a huge contribution to the education and lives of children who respond very positively to high quality teaching and support.
• A friendly and inclusive working environment.
Forward Education Trust is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an Employee Value Proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:
• Teacher Pension or Support Staff Local Government Pension – Employer Contribution
• FET HUB – information all in one place, access to a range of benefits
• Paid for Health Cash Plan – employee and dependent children benefit – option to add partner
• Employee Questionnaire – Consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
• Salary sacrifice scheme – Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to the NHS approved Thrive App – to support mental health & well-being
• Comprehensive induction and probation support and an ongoing performance management & appraisal system
• Easy purchase scheme (salary deduction) – Smart Tech in association with Currys
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme – free, totally confidential advice, with face-to-face consultations
• Personal & professional learning & development – including FLICK online learning and other resources
• Access to discounts and offers from Reward Gateway and My Perks
• Occupational Health Service – accessible to support the needs of individual staff
• Staff recognition – e-cards to celebrate success among colleagues
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Policies being developed to support positive health & well-being: Family Friendly Working, Special Leave of Absence, Flexible Working, Menopause
For more information, please contact info@heights.fet.ac
Closing date: 12th May 2025
Interviews: 20th and 21st May 2025
The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date.
Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.
Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted; we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) or accept them in place of an application form.
If you do not hear from the school within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. The successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
Forward Education Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must promote this ethos.
What the school offers its staff
Forward Education Trust is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff.
Further details about the role
Closing Date: 12/05/2025
Interviews 20th & 21st May 2025
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.