Job Title: Science Teacher (SEN)
Job Location: Petherton Park School, North Petherton (TA6)
Salary: Between £32,510.40 and £40,414.40 per annum, based on working 40 hours per week, 39.2 weeks of the year.
Contract Type: Permanent
We’re looking for a passionate and innovative Science Teacher to join our vibrant teaching team, someone who enjoys thinking outside the box and transforming traditional science lessons into engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
You’ll be working with neurodiverse children and young adults who may have additional needs relating to communication and interaction, cognition and learning, sensory and/or physical needs. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and imaginative learning environment where you can break away from conventional teaching methods. You’ll have the flexibility to design fun and engaging lessons that cater to each pupils’ unique needs, interests, and aspirations.
We encourage you to incorporate fun, non-traditional science activities that will spark curiosity and promote active, hands-on learning. Whether it's exploring chemical reactions through cooking projects like making bread to learn about yeast or conducting outdoor nature-based experiments such as building bug hotels or observing ecosystems in action, you’ll have the freedom to engage pupils with creative and accessible lessons. Other ideas might include STEM challenges like designing and testing simple machines or conducting everyday science experiments that turn everyday items like balloons, kitchen ingredients, or plants into powerful learning tools.
With small class sizes, typically five pupils, you’ll have the opportunity to develop strong, meaningful relationships, ensuring each child receives the support and attention they need to thrive.
If you’re eager to make a meaningful difference by bringing science to life in imaginative ways, and if you’re looking to inspire pupils through a creative, flexible teaching approach, we’d love to hear from you!
A day in the life of a Science Teacher will involve:
- Leading classroom activities including planning, teaching and assessing learning, particularly with ‘your’ class. This might involve a range of subjects and topics and involve pastoral support.
- Monitoring and recording progress, both academically and against EHCP outcomes
- Working closely with pupils keeping them engaged, motivated and inspired to reach their full potential.
- Working either 1-2-1 with pupils, or in small group settings to help them achieve their learning goals.
- Working closely with Teaching Assistants to direct them to effectively support the pupils.
To be a successful Science Teacher you’ll need:
- Patience, compassion, and resilience – The pupils you teach will be neurodiverse, which can impact their learning behaviour and communication needs.
- Great communication skills – Both verbal and written communication is important in this role as you’ll be speaking to a lot of different people at different times. You’ll need to be able to contribute to a range of resources as well as share information effectively.
- A driving licence — Our pupils love to learn in a wide range of settings. We need you to drive them to where they need to go. We have the cars; you need the licence.
- A genuine interest in a career focused on the education of people with a wide range of needs.
In return for your time, you’ll get:
- Holidays – You’ll only work term time (39.2 weeks), and get paid the additional 12.8 weeks whilst you’re off.
- Pension scheme– Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
- Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
- Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offers a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
- Cycle2Work -The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
- DBS – As this role required you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
- After 12 months service - You’ll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You’ll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.
As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.
At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.