Teacher of Nurture with opportunity for Assistant SENDCo responsibility

King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes

The Great Schools Trust is seeking to appoint a compassionate, skilled and enthusiastic Teacher of Nurture to join the dedicated team at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes. This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent practitioner who is passionate about inclusion, nurture and supporting young people to overcome barriers to learning so they can thrive academically, socially and personally.

There is also the opportunity for the successful candidate to undertake additional responsibilities as Assistant SENDCo, making this an excellent development opportunity for someone wishing to further their experience and leadership within SEND and inclusive education.

This role has been created as part of the academy’s September curriculum expansion in response to increasing pupil numbers and our continued commitment to strengthening an already highly effective SEND team. The successful candidate will play an important role in helping us further develop our nurture and inclusive provision, ensuring that vulnerable learners receive exceptional support, care and educational opportunities.

About Us

King’s Hawthornes is proud to be part of the Great Schools Trust, ranked No. 2 nationally for most improved multi-academy trust in 2025. Our schools do more than deliver academic excellence – they transform lives. We are relentless in our focus on people and wellbeing, ensuring that staff are supported, developed, and valued.

With dedicated weekly CPD time, access to leading leadership programmes, and a trust-wide commitment to work-life balance, this is a place where both students and staff flourish.

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in our KS3 nurture provision, supporting students with additional needs and barriers to learning through a nurturing, structured and highly supportive environment.

The successful candidate will deliver learning across a range of subjects within a primary-model approach to teaching, where pupils benefit from consistency, strong relationships and a secure classroom environment. The role can also be adapted to suit the strengths and subject specialism of the successful candidate, whilst maintaining high expectations and aspirations for all learners.

We are ideally seeking someone with experience in a primary, secondary or specialist setting who has a genuine passion for championing SEND learners and supporting inclusive practice.

A significant aspect of the role will involve supporting pupils during the important transition from KS2 to KS3, ensuring vulnerable learners experience a positive, supported and successful start to secondary school life.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, particularly the academy SENDCo, to help develop and evolve the nurture provision. There may also be opportunities to support wider SEND provision, including reading interventions, assessments and access arrangements testing.

Our ASPIRE values – Achievement, Aspiration, Self-awareness, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Endeavour – underpin everything we do.

Why Join Us?

At King’s Hawthornes, we are proud of our culture and community. In our latest anonymous Edurio Staff Survey, colleagues consistently praised the school:

“Amazing, supportive staff who truly act with integrity and have the best interests of the school at heart.”

“An open-door, kind culture.”

“A trust that is at the cutting edge of research.”

“I can go to my line manager with any problem, and she always offers immediate advice.”

We also offer:

• Collaborative & Ambitious Team - Join a dedicated and innovative Science department committed to delivering an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that inspires curiosity, challenge, and academic success.
• Real Impact Through Education - Play a leading role in shaping exceptional science teaching and ensuring students develop the knowledge, confidence, and aspirations to succeed in further education and beyond.
• Professional Development - Access high-quality CPD, leadership development pathways, instructional coaching, and Trust-wide partnerships to further develop your expertise and leadership capacity.
• Career Progression & Stability - This role has been created due to increased curriculum demand and added departmental capacity, reflecting the academy’s continued growth and investment in Science.
• Competitive Benefits Package - Including a strong salary, pension scheme, BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, and flexible working options.

Who We Are Looking For

• Has experience of nurture provision, inclusive education or a primary-model approach to teaching.
• Can teach across a range of subjects at KS2 and KS3 level.
• Understands the importance of consistency, routine and emotional safety within a nurture environment.
• Builds positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Has high expectations and aspirations for all learners.
• Is committed to supporting pupils with SEND and barriers to learning.
• Can work effectively with colleagues, families and external professionals.
• Is flexible, reflective and child-centred in their approach.
• Understands the importance of effective transition support from KS2 to KS3.
• Primary teaching experience would be particularly beneficial in supporting pupils through transition, although this is not essential.

This role would suit someone who is passionate about inclusion, nurture and helping young people develop the confidence, independence and learning behaviours needed to succeed.

Visits & Interviews

We appreciate the application deadline is fast approaching and are keen to accommodate candidates who may require notice to attend interview. We would therefore be happy to offer academy tours and visits on Monday 18th May and interviews on Thursday 21st or Friday 22nd May, where required.

If you would like to visit our wonderful academy, meet the SEND department and Principal, please contact Michael Aitken.

Safeguarding Commitment

King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.