Secondary Teacher with SEMH Experience

Advert Closing Date: 10/04/26
Interview Date: W/C 13/04/26

Are you ready to be a Life Changer? Do you have the drive to positively impact a child's life?

At Compass Community, our priority is children, and we utilize a therapeutic and innovative approach to education. Integrity, Courage, and Care are at the core of our operations. We engage in deep listening, challenge one another, and collaboratively address issues that arise.

This is our mission, and we invite you to join us.

Who we are
Compass Community School Willow Dean is an independent specialist institution offering top-quality, therapeutic, and child-centered education for boys and girls aged 6 to 17 in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Our students come from diverse backgrounds and present a variety of needs, including Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges, as well as other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

The work we do is both diverse and demanding. As a trauma- and attachment-informed organization, we provide all staff with comprehensive therapeutic training and support.

Our well-coordinated approach ensures that the child is at the heart of decision-making, allowing education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams, and, most importantly, our students to collaborate for exceptional outcomes for all.

The Role
We view our teachers as primary educators of children, prioritizing the understanding of each child, developing professional and nurturing relationships, and inspiring students.

Teachers at Compass Community School ignite curiosity in children, bringing subjects to life and making lessons relevant and engaging. They craft stimulating learning experiences that challenge students, whether they are beginning their educational journey or have a particular talent or enthusiasm for a subject. We seek the ideal teacher rather than focusing on specific subject experience; your interests, experience, and passion for teaching will shape your role in our school.

Our children need exceptional teachers who can navigate complex and challenging behaviors. They understand that our students require significant attention, appropriate communication, consistency, flexibility, and a non-judgmental approach.

The Right Person
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Post Graduate Education Certificate (PGCE)
- A proven track record of good or outstanding teaching practice
- Exceptional, efficient, and emotionally intelligent communication skills
- The ability and willingness to teach a subject specialism to GCSE or equivalent vocational level
- A strong commitment to working inclusively in an emotionally supportive environment, assisting children who have faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Experience in crisis management and handling challenging behaviors, particularly with children facing SEMH difficulties
- Demonstrated experience in delivering a creative and academically engaging curriculum that meets individual pupil needs while maintaining high educational standards
- Proven ability to effectively engage with hard-to-reach or disengaged families

Benefits and Rewards
- Provision of a staff laptop and mobile phone
- Competitive salary
- Extensive training and opportunities for professional qualifications
- Small class sizes supported by specialist teaching assistants
- The opportunity to be part of a growing national organization that acknowledges skill, effort, and potential while developing its own leadership teams
- Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
- Flexible pension options
- Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
- Employee benefits service offering access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, and discounts on dining out and takeaways

We continuously review applications and reserve the right to close the advertisement early if suitable candidates are identified.

Safeguarding
Compass Community Schools are deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, expecting all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will need to hold or be willing to obtain an Enhanced DBS check or an Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously known as the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media usage.

All school staff carry the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. They should be familiar with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and operate in accordance with it at all times.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to expand, we recognize the importance of having talented employees from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.