For September 2026 Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is seeking a well qualified and empathetic individual to support an academically able student with additional ASD needs to thrive through to completion of GCSEs in June 2027. 

In this role you will build a trusting relationship with the student to support learning and social & emotional development, providing direct support both in and out of the classroom, using the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) framework. You will also liaise with family, school staff and external specialists to co-ordinate additional support and provision in school.   

We are seeking someone educated to degree level or equivalent, with experience of working with children or adolescents in an educational or therapeutic setting, including experience of working with young people with Autistic Spectrum conditions/other neurodiversities and/or supporting young people as they experience dysregulation. Familiarity with the GCSE curriculum and assessment style is also essential.   

Dr Challoner's is an 11-18  grammar school for boys, with a co-educational Sixth Form. We have a long history of providing superb education to our students and in 2024 Ofsted confirmed their 2019 judgement of Outstanding. All our support staff play a key role in enabling  that to happen, by contributing to the forward thinking and innovative culture of the school.

To informally discuss the role further please contact Morag Hussey, SEN Lead Teacher & SENDCo, on mhu@challoners.org 

Benefits of working at Dr Challoner's Grammar School

Staff often remark that DCGS is a great place to work. Staff retention is high, which we believe reflects the supportive and friendly environment in which we work. Students are hard working, capable and diligent. New staff to the school often remark that they enjoy working in an environment where students want to learn.  Challoner’s was the third secondary school in the country to be judged Outstanding under Ofsted’s new Education Inspection Framework when inspected in November 2019, with the inspectors noting that the school has a culture of teamwork, loyalty and aspiration and that staff feel exceptionally well supported. This judgement was confirmed again in 2024. In 2025 we ranked 10th in The Times’ best secondary and grammar schools in the south-east.

As the Lead School in the Astra Teaching School, DCGS offers a wide and diverse range of professional development opportunities for staff. Astra's status as a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider (SCITT) ensures Challoner’s is at the cutting edge of curricular and pedagogical developments in education. The Astra SCITT trains approximately 50 - 70 new entrants per year: in this way, colleagues at Challoner's are able to contribute to, and benefit from, high quality teacher training and CPD across over 50  schools in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and beyond. 

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School also offers staff: 

• A friendly working environment with supportive and caring colleagues 
• Access to a free  24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including financial and legal advice, counselling and health programmes 
• An award winning attitude to staff wellbeing and mental health
• Staff Buddies - all new staff are allocated a staff buddy
• Hero of the Week! - recognition for staff who go above and beyond
• Preferential admission for qualified children of staff (some restrictions apply) 
• Excellent opportunities for professional development 
• Access to Blue Light card benefits 
• Access to onsite cardio fitness and weights room 
• Free on site parking

Prospective applicants are warmly invited to apply through Mynewterm by clicking apply now.

Early applications are welcome; we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the published closing date. 

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Dr Challoner's Grammar School we ensure breadth of opportunities for all and actively promote open and outward facing attitudes to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage suitably qualified people from all backgrounds to apply for roles at our school. If there are any issues which you feel could be barriers to your application as part of this process please let  us know.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.

Additional information for applicants

Some additional information for applicants can be found here.