Woodlands Secondary School is a large, secondary-age, special school in the Northwell Drive area of Luton.   The school will be expanding to a second site in Kestrel Way, in September 2027.  We serve a population of young people with a variety of special educational needs - those with severe, profound and/or complex learning difficulties, from across the town.  Teachers may work on either site in future. 

The school is committed to the provision of high quality education for young people with severe, profound and complex learning needs.

We have worked hard to devise a suitable and innovative curriculum offer which supports our young people to achieve our vision of 'Empowering young people to become successful adults'. 

We are looking for a teacher who:

• is committed to raising standards and implementing a creative, relevant and functional curriculum which will empower young people to be successful now and in the future
• has a desire to learn and take on new challenges; is resilient and able to look after and nurture their own wellbeing
• has successful teaching experience of working with children and young people with severe, profound and/or complex learning difficulties
• is able to plan and adapt teaching and learning for students and to provide opportunities for students to make progress towards their EHCP priorities
• is a strong and empathetic team leader who can lead and develop a team of support staff to facilitate learning opportunities for the students
• is committed to safeguarding students and promoting the wider development of students

Woodlands can offer:

• fantastic students
• a hardworking, friendly and supportive staff team who are committed to supporting our young people
• great facilities for learning, including the school garden, hydrotherapy pool, rebound room, soft play room, school cafe, tuck shop, mini-enterprise hub, school library, and the school gym.
• senior and middle leaders who take staff (and student) wellbeing seriously, whilst ensuring the best outcomes for young people.
• a supportive Governing Board. 

Benefits of working at Woodlands Secondary School:

• Minimum of 10% PPA time
• High quality CPD
• Free access to Employee Assistance provided by PAM Wellness - this is confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
• Supportive senior and middle leadership team 
• Free tea and coffee
• Access to our onsite cafe, 3 days per week - sit in or take away; loyalty cards available
• Opportunities to be entered into a half-termly draw to win a cafe voucher - based on good attendance
• Access to the onsite gym
• Discounted membership rates at Active Luton

Find out more about the school

Working in a special school is a unique and privileged opportunity for the right people. 

We advise interested parties to ensure they have looked at the school website www.woodlands.luton.sch.uk and our Facebook Page - Official Woodlands Secondary School,  in order to get a flavour of our school.    

Visits to the school are encouraged.  To arrange a visit to the school please contact:   caroline.lowry@woodlands.luton.sch.uk   

Application form

When completing the letter of application, please ensure you address all of the points in the essential column on the person specification.   See the attached document about how to write a good letter of application.

Safeguarding:

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post meets the definition of ‘Regulated Activity’ as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended).

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.