SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager

A Unique Leadership Opportunity in a Brand-New Specialist Unit

Waingels is a values-driven, inclusive school where everyone belongs, thrives and succeeds, underpinned by our culture of Kindness, Respect, Responsibility and Pride. In partnership with the Local Authority, we are opening a brand-new Secondary Autism (ASC) Unit, complete with a newly built, purpose-designed facility to ensure an autism-friendly, calm and structured learning environment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a colleague to lead, shape and manage a brand-new SEND Unit from its very foundation.

Your Role: Lead the Unit, the Staff Team, and the New Building

As the SEND Teacher & Autism Unit Manager, you will not only teach and oversee provision — you will manage every aspect of the Unit with support from the School’s Leadership Team and SEND Team, including:

• Leadership and management of the dedicated staff team
• Oversight of the new building and its daily operations
• Responsibility for the learning environment, safety, routines and specialist resourcing

Crucially, you will also have significant input into the design, internal layout, zoning, and resourcing of the Unit, ensuring that the physical environment fully supports structured teaching, curriculum, sensory regulation and personalised learning.

This is your chance to build a high‑quality ASC provision that reflects both best practice and your professional vision.

The Unit opens in September 2026 with its first cohort of 5 Year 7 pupils — deliberately small to allow the Manager to:

• Design and implement an adaptive curriculum
• Establish systems, culture and routines from day one
• Implement targeted interventions
• Model effective autism‑informed practice
• Build strong partnerships with mainstream teachers, leaders and external agencies
• Develop personalised timetables and support pathways
• Induct support staff

About Waingels

Waingels is an inclusive community where students feel safe, valued and supported, and where diversity and difference are celebrated.

We offer a curriculum that is broad, balanced, adaptive and personalised, continuously evolving to respond to student needs and interests. Our investment in wellbeing hub, sensory and mindfulness spaces, specialist colleagues and adjusted learning environments reflects our commitment to removing barriers and helping every student achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Unit Leadership, Staffing & Building Management

• Lead the overall operation of the ASC Unit, ensuring it is safe, calm and autism-friendly.
• Manage Unit staff (TAs, key workers), including deployment and performance oversight.
• Oversee the daily functioning, organisation and safety of the new Unit building.
• Shape the design, layout, zoning and specialist resources within the Unit.
• Ensure structured routines and high expectations for pupils.

2. Curriculum, Teaching & Learning

• Design and deliver an adaptive, personalised curriculum for autistic pupils in KS3/4.
• Teach small groups or individuals, using autism‑informed strategies and structured teaching.
• Implement sensory, communication and SEMH interventions.

3. Pupil Progress & EHCP Delivery

• Lead EHCP implementation, support reviews and multi-agency collaboration.
• Monitor academic, behavioural, attendance and SEMH indicators.

4. Inclusion & Collaboration

• Work with mainstream teachers to support access to subject lessons.
• Provide staff training and guidance on autism-friendly practice.

5. Environment & Resource Leadership

• Create autism-friendly learning zones, sensory spaces and structured teaching areas.
• Manage specialist resources, sensory tools and assistive technologies.

Person Specification

Essential

• QTS
• Substantial experience supporting autistic pupils (preferably KS3/4)
• Understanding of adolescent autism, sensory profiles and emotional regulation
• Leadership and team management skills
• Experience leading professional meetings
• Expertise in curriculum adaptation and personalised planning

Desirable

• NASENCO or specialist autism qualification
• Experience with autism interventions (e.g., Zones of Regulation, SCERTS)
• Experience developing alternative or personalised pathways
• Experience managing or helping establish a specialist provision

Why This Role Is Special

• You will lead a brand-new Unit from day one — shaping its culture, curriculum and systems.
• You will manage the new building, its routines, safety and specialist resources.
• You will influence the final layout and design decisions, ensuring the space truly meets autistic pupils’ needs.
• You start with a small, manageable first cohort, enabling purposeful, high-quality development.
• You join a school that lives its inclusive values and continually invests in SEND provision.

How to Apply

Our staff and students are proud of our school and we would be happy to welcome you if you would like to come and have a closer look round before applying. Additionally, please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation with a hiring manager.  

Contact: Mollie Williams (HR Administrator) 

Phone number: 0118 969 0336 

Email: HRandrecruitment@waingels.wokingham.sch.uk.  

All of our vacancies are advertised on My New Term and we can only accept applications that are submitted via this platform.

The deadline for applications is set for Friday 13th February 2026 at 12 noon with interviews expected to take place w/c 23rd February 2026. However, we will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and reserve the right to close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The school is committed to safeguarding, equal opportunities and to promoting the welfare of all staff and students.