Lead Practitioner 16 - 18 The Birches SEND Enhanced Provision
For September 2026, we are looking to recruit a SEND specialist to join our new Enhanced Provision, The Birches, for students with significant Cognition and Learning needs.
This role will be based within Key Stage 5, students aged 16-18, where students will be working on Entry and Level 1 courses. There will also be significant time for students to engage with opportunities outside of school through work experience and visits within the local area.
This is an exciting opportunity to work in our brand new facility.
SWCHS is a thriving and happy learning community where students make excellent progress. The school provides a vibrant and dynamic learning environment underpinned by a culture of collaboration and effective pastoral care. Ensuring that staff and students thrive, are nurtured and developed, and enjoy the fantastic opportunities on offer is at the heart of everything we do.
What we offer:
- An open and collaborative community which trusts and supports its teachers
- Motivated students and a dedicated staff team
- Extensive CPD opportunities including National Professional Qualifications thanks to our status as a National Teaching School Hub
- Coaching and mentoring opportunities open to all
- Well behaved students keen to learn and participate in lessons
- High-quality research-based professional development
- Exciting professional development programmes helping you aspire to leadership
- Cross curricular collaboration and rich extra curricular programme
We would like you to:
- Be willing to support the development of our specialist curriculum and provision, for students aged 16-18, in line with our vision for The Birches
- Support and guide students in their studies, teaching employability and personal development skills and knowledge.
- Take the lead on building relationships with businesses and organisations within the local community who could offer work experience, apprenticeships and support for our students.
- Take the lead on Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) for students and their families.
- Be confident to plan, organise and lead trips and visits both to the local community and further afield to provide our students with opportunities to develop their confidence and skills using public transport.
- Be a team player looking for an exciting and unique opportunity to create something meaningful and bespoke for our learners.
We welcome applications from those interested in full-time or part-time work.
We operate a Bike to Work scheme and there is an early years nursery on our site.
What our colleagues said in our recent staff survey:
"Induction for new staff was useful and supportive."
"I feel staff wellbeing is given a high priority here and staff benefit from it."
"I am proud to be part of a school where every teacher matters and every student is cared about. I really value how much I am invested in and known personally by the senior leadership team, and the efforts the school puts in to ensuring its staff are happy and developing professionally."
"I believe this school has helped me grow as a teacher, in my teaching abilities, academic understanding and leadership skills. Having worked elsewhere, I know that this is rare and it has made me feel like this school is a great place to develop my career."
"I have really appreciated all the opportunities there are at SWCHS for staff. I have benefited from and enjoyed the chance to participate in leadership programmes, CPD and trips."
Closing date: 9am on Tuesday 24th February 2026
Interviews will take place in the week beginning 12th & 13th March 2026