Key Role Information

Salary
£34,069.00 - £52,835.00 per annum
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Fixed Term
Closing
06/11/2026 12:00
Interview
11 November 2026
Contract term
TTO - Term time only
Pay grade
Main Pay Scale M1 - Upper Pay Scale U3
Department
Cedars Low Fell
Key stage
Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2
Hours per week
32.43
Weeks per year
52.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

We are looking for a teacher to join our creative, nurturing school community and deliver meaningful, bespoke education to children who learn differently. You will lead one of our EYFS or Key Stage 1/2 classes for pupils with complex cognitive and emotional needs.


This suits an experienced SEND or EYFS/primary practitioner who can plan and deliver an engaging curriculum in a practical, sensory-led way. You will plan creative learning around communication, emotional regulation and independence, use Total Communication and assistive technology (training provided), and work closely with therapists, specialist staff and families.


Cedars is a warm community where staff shape their own professional development and contribute to evidence-informed practice. If you have the energy and empathy to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you. This post is not suitable for ECTs.


Pay and contract


MPS/UPS plus SEN allowance. Full time. Fixed term, two terms initially, and may be extended depending on the substantive teacher's return. Start: February 2027.


What you will do

  1. Plan and teach an inclusive curriculum that meets each child's developmental and sensory needs, working with your team and guiding teaching assistants
  2. Assess and record progress, and use our tracking systems to make timely interventions
  3. Create a purposeful, positive and safe classroom that is sensitive to individual needs
  4. Write pupil reports, run Personal Learning Plans and attend review and parent meetings
  5. Build strong communication with parents, carers, social workers and other professionals
  6. Help develop an inclusive, relevant curriculum with our leadership team
  7. Take part in training and our research-based professional development programme


What we are looking for

Essential

  1. Qualified Teacher Status, with an Early Years or Primary qualification
  2. Experience of supporting children with additional needs and understanding barriers to learning for pupils with complex needs
  3. Experience of promoting safeguarding in a school
  4. Knowledge of working with pupils with SEN, autism, and emotional, behavioural or communication difficulties
  5. Sound knowledge of the EYFS and/or KS1 and KS2 curriculum
  6. Warm, enthusiastic, adaptable and a strong communicator and team member

Desirable

  1. Experience in a specialist setting
  2. Experience of an EYFS or semi-formal curriculum
  3. Evidence of continuing professional development


The full job description and person specification can be downloaded from this vacancy page.


Keeping children safe

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff to share that commitment. Any offer is subject to an enhanced DBS check, right-to-work checks, teacher status and prohibition checks, satisfactory references and a health questionnaire. Cedars is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer.


Come and see us

We would love you to see our school before you apply. To arrange a visit or a chat about the role, please email Joanne Carr, Deputy Headteacher (joanne.carr@cedarstrust.org.uk).


Closing date: Friday 6 November 2026, 12 noon.

Interviews: Wednesday 11 November 2026.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply early.

Benefits

SEN Allowance
SEN Allowance £2,885 per annum

Qualifications

Qualified Teacher Statusessential
GCSE grade 4/C or above, or Functional Skills Level 2, in both English and Mathsessential

Skills

CPD / Training

Safeguarding awarenessessential
Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

Working with and supporting children & young people with additional needsessential
Understanding of the barriers to learning for pupils with complex needsessential
Knowledge of working with pupils with SEN, autism, and emotional, behavioural or communication difficultiesessential
Sound knowledge of the EYFS and/or KS1 and KS2 curriculumessential
Working with young people in an EYFS/Semi Formal approach
Experience of working in a specialist setting

Personal Attributes

Effective team working and communicationessential

About Us

About Cedars Academy

Cedars Academy is an all-through specialist academy in Gateshead for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, across two sites: Cedars Low Fell and Cedars High Heworth. Our staff work as one team to give every pupil the care, challenge and opportunities they need to thrive.

Benefits

  1. Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for support staff and Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) for teaching staff
  2. Cycle to Work scheme
  3. Instant retail and leisure discounts through Salary Extras
  4. One paid Wellbeing Day each year
  5. Free eye test through our Specsavers corporate eyecare scheme
  6. Staff access to the gym facilities at High Heworth

Safeguarding

Cedars Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list clearance, online searches, and completion of safeguarding training.

Equality and Disability Confident

We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality. We are a Disability Confident employer and will shortlist for interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria for the role.

Cedars Academy

Gareth Kyle

recruitment@cedarstrust.org.uk

Ivy Lane
Low Fell
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE9 6QD

Safeguarding Information

Safeguarding Information:


All staff and trustees are committed to our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children at Cedars Academy. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. Our safeguarding procedures apply to all staff volunteers, visitors and trustees and are consistent with those of the Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership