ABBEY HILL ACADEMY
Ketton Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS19 8BU
Permanent Post - Required for September 2026
English Teacher MPS/UPS £32,916 - £51,048 + SEN 1 allowance £2,787
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust consists of 8 Academies, Abbey Hill, Westlands, Green Gates, Hollis, Archway, Woodlands, The Meadows and Mo Mowlam. The academies serve a population of in excess of 1000 students with a broad range of special educational needs.
Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form provides for approximately 360 young people and we are at the forefront of current developments in the education of young people with special educational needs. We specialise in meeting the needs of students aged 11 to 18 who have a full range of learning difficulties as well as other physical and social needs. Due to the demand for places within our school, we have provisions on three sites, our main location of Ketton Road in Stockton, an MLD base of three classes within Northshore Academy and a satellite provision of five classes for students with MLD and Autism in Acklam, Middlesbrough.
The post is to teach students aged 11-18 with a broad range of special educational needs, predominantly those with moderate learning difficulties. The post will include delivering our English curriculum to students working on entry in Year 7 at Y1-3 expectations up to Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications at the end of Year 11.
About the job:
No two days are the same, so we seeking a teacher who can work at pace to turn ‘can’t do’ into ‘want to’ and is motivated by working with young people with complex needs. You will be confident in your belief that every child can achieve and reach their potential. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with children in a calm and engaging demeanour, whilst being resilient and using innovative styles of teaching.
We want to hear from people with drive and a willingness to go the ‘extra mile’ to improve the lives of the young people in our care. Whilst previous experience of working in a SEN environment would be desirable, excellent teaching skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are just as important.
What will I be doing?
- Establishing and maintaining good working relationships in order to promote the development and effective delivery of the school curriculum to maximise our young people’s achievement.
- Teaching students according to their educational needs and acknowledging that every lesson counts.
- Delivering our KS3 and KS4 curriculum including relevant qualifications.
- Creating a well-ordered and secure environment that will ensure the educational well-being of individual children within the group.
- Support students in a positive manner, through an attachment friendly ethos that fosters warmth as well as sets high boundaries so that all can achieve their potential; following agreed and consistent strategies alongside school in-house professionals and therapeutic colleagues.
- Ensuring careful and ongoing assessment of the students learning to inform further planning and next steps.
- Ensuring that tasks and activities are matched to the ability of the student - allowing them to make progress at the right pace and level.
- Working with school leaders to complete and teach individual pupil plans where students have specific needs.
- Liaising effectively with parents and a wide range of professionals.
- Leading a class team of enthusiastic and hardworking teaching assistants.
- Working with key professionals to deliver a well-rounded curriculum, which supports the students’ ability to learn, self-regulate, develop students’ social skills and supports their mental health.
What do I need?
- Must have appropriate teaching Qualification (QTS or QTLS)
- Knowledge of the English curriculum. A knowledge of phonics is extremely beneficial
- Have some knowledge of SEND and an awareness of tools and strategies to support literacy development in learning with literacy difficulties
- Resilient, supportive and sensitive towards the needs of our learners
- Be an outstanding practitioner
- Understanding of the curriculum in order for successful planning and delivery
- The ability to manage challenging behaviour effectively
- A strong commitment to the welfare and safeguarding of students
Why work for us?
A few reasons we think it’s a great place to work:
- Abbey Hill Academy is where amazing children do amazing things!
- Opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and make a positive difference
- Continuous professional development & training for a clear career path
- No two days are ever the same
- Open and positive working environment
- Be part of a fantastic team who work hard together and support each other and have achieved Gold status with Investors in People for people management and Silver status for Staff Wellbeing.
Visits to the Academy are actively encouraged and highly recommended. To arrange this please email HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk or telephone on 01642 677113 and ask to speak to a member of the HR team.
Application forms and further information are available to download from the Horizons Trust website - https://www.horizonstrust.org.uk/jobs
To view aor download the Job Description click <HERE>
Completed application forms should be returned by 12 noon on Friday 15th May, 2026 to HR Department, c/o Abbey Hill Academy, Ketten 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 be conducted. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and appropriate references.
