We are seeking a passionate and dedicated SEN Teacher to join our exceptional team. In this role, you will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support pupil progress and well-being and create a positive and stimulating learning environment that encourages independence and resilience. Our pupils aged 11 to 16 years who have a range of learning needs including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficult and/or Complex Learning Needs.
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience or a strong interest in working with pupils with SLD and/or complex needs.
- A commitment to promoting well-being and fostering a love for learning.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with pupils, families, and colleagues.
- Creativity, resilience, and adaptability in your teaching approach.
If you’re inspired to join our team and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you!
Our School Motto of PRIDE runs through everything we do:
Pride in our appearance and all that we achieve
Respect for ourselves, others and the environment
Independent living skills
Determination to succeed
Enjoyment of learning and life
At Blackfriars Academy we pride ourselves on preparing our learners for life through prioritising skills required to meet their full potential. Through our specialist curriculum, our students are empowered through a strong emphasis on the development of individual communication strategies and life skills. Our staff team provide enriching and safe environments, where our pupils are encouraged to develop independence, whilst promoting well-being for a happy and fulfilled future.
Blackfriars Academy is a truly exceptional place to learn and grow.
We are a vibrant learning community of around 120 students, aged 11 to 16, supported by over 90 dedicated staff members. Together, we are committed to helping young people with profound and complex, moderate, or severe learning needs achieve their full potential.
What makes us special is our unwavering focus on providing an outstanding educational experience tailored to a wide range of individual needs. Our inclusive and nurturing environment allows every student to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. At Blackfriars, students don’t just attend school—they flourish.
Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.
Shortlisting: Monday 18th May 2026
Interview date: Either Wednesday 20th May 2026 / Friday 22nd May 2026
Blackfriars Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.