SEN Teacher of Science - Abbey Hill Academy (Horizons Specialist Academy Trust)

SEN TEACHER OF SCIENCEAbbey Hill Academy,

Ketton Road, Stockton on Tees,TS19 8BU

MPS/UPS + SEN 1 allowance (£34,068 - £52,834 + £2,884 SEN 1)

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is a thriving specialist education trust comprising eight academies; Abbey Hill, Westlands, Green Gates, Hollis, Archway, Woodlands, Norman Cornish and Mo Mowlam. Across our academies, we support over 1000 students aged 5 -18 with a broad range of learning difficulties and additional needs.

About Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form

Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form provides specialist education for approximately 370 young people aged 11-18. We are proud to be at the forefront of developments in education for young people with special educational needs, supporting students with a wide range of learning difficulties, alongside physical, social and emotional needs.

Due to the high demand for places Abbey Hill currently operates across three sites: our main academy on Ketton Road in Stockton, a two-class MLD base at Northshore Academy and our satellite provision of five classes for students with MLD and Autism in Middlesbrough, named Fairfax Provision. We are now looking for an enthusiastic, committed and inspirational Teacher of Science to join our team at Fairfax Provision (Middlesbrough).

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to teach students aged 11-16 with a broad range of special educational needs, predominantly moderate learning difficulties. You will be responsible for delivering Science to students working on entry in Year 7 at Y1-4 expectations up to Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications at the end of Year 11. This role will also include teaching some PSHE lessons.

We are looking for someone who believes passionately that every young person can achieve and who is committed to helping our students recognise and reach their potential. No two days at Fairfax are the same. You will need to be adaptable, resilient and creative, with the ability to turn “I can’t do this” into “I want to do this”.

About you

You will be a calm, engaging and innovative teacher who enjoys building positive relationships with young people and creating an environment where they feel safe, valued and ready to learn. You will have high expectations of all students and the resilience to support young people with complex needs, including those with learning difficulties and autism.

Previous experience of working in a specialist or SEND setting would be an advantage, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in your teaching ability, motivation, personal qualities and commitment to making a genuine difference to the lives of young people.

We are looking for someone who is prepared to go the extra mile, who can work collaboratively as part of a dedicated team and who shares our belief that every lesson matters.

What will you be doing? You will:

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships that support the effective delivery of the curriculum and maximise student achievement.
• Plan and deliver engaging Science lessons across KS3 and KS4, including relevant qualifications.
• Teach students according to their individual educational needs, recognising that every lesson is an opportunity to make progress.
• Create a calm, well-ordered and secure learning environment in which every student can thrive.
• Provide warm, supportive and attachment-aware practice while maintaining clear, consistent boundaries and expectations.
• Work closely with school-based professionals and therapeutic colleagues to implement agreed strategies and support students’ individual needs.
• Assess students’ learning carefully and continuously, using assessment to inform planning, teaching and next steps.
• Adapt tasks and activities to individual abilities, ensuring students can progress at an appropriate pace and level.
• Work with school leaders to develop and deliver individual pupil plans where required.
• Build effective partnerships with parents, carers and a wide range of professionals.
• Lead and work collaboratively with a team of enthusiastic and committed teaching assistants.
• Support the development of students’ social and emotional skills, self-regulation, wellbeing and mental health through a broad and balanced curriculum.

What are we looking for? You will have:

• An appropriate teaching Qualification (QTS or QTLS.)
• Strong knowledge of the Science curriculum and the ability to plan and deliver purposeful engaging lessons.
• Some knowledge and understanding of the PSHE curriculum.
• An understanding of SEND and effective strategies for supporting students with learning difficulties and autism.
• A resilient, supportive and sensitive approach to working with young people with additional needs.
• A commitment to being an outstanding classroom practitioner.
• The ability to manage challenging behaviour positively and effectively.
• A strong commitment to the safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing of all students.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential.

Why work for us?

At Abbey Hill Academy, amazing children do amazing things – and our staff play a vital role in making that possible.

By joining us, you will have the opportunity to:

• Make a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people.
• Work in a rewarding and supportive specialist education environment.
• Access continuous professional development and training to support your career progression.
• Enjoy a role where no two days are the same.
• Work within an open, positive and inclusive environment.
• Become part of a fantastic team who work hard, support one another and are committed to achieving the very best outcomes for our students.
• Work for an organisation recognised with Gold status from Investors in People for our approach to people management and Silver status for Staff Wellbeing.

If you are an enthusiastic and resilient teacher who is passionate about Science, SEND and helping young people achieve things they may not have thought possible, we would love to hear from you.

Visits to the academy are actively encouraged and highly recommended. To arrange this please email the HR department - HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk or telephone on 01642 677113

An application form and further information is available to download from the Horizons Trust website https://www.horizonstrust.org.uk/jobs or by emailing HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk

Completed application forms should be returned by 12 noon on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to: HR Department, Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, c/o Abbey Hill Academy, Ketton Road, Stockton-on-Tees. TS19 8BU or by email to HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk.

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As part of our recruitment process online searches may conducted. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and appropriate references and checks.