Lead Teacher (SEMH SRB)

From the advert

Salary: Qualified Teachers Pay Scales: Main Pay Scale (MPS) to Upper Pay Scale (UPS) and TLR2 of £5,000 per annum

Full Time, Permanent

Start Date: January 2027

Thetford Academy is seeking to appoint an outstanding Lead Teacher (SEMH SRB) to join our committed and hardworking team.

The successful candidate will lead the Academy’s SEMH Specialist Resource Base (SRB), supporting students with additional educational needs to achieve their full potential within a mainstream secondary setting.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality specialist provision while promoting inclusion across the academy. Working closely with the SENDCo and wider school community, you will provide inspirational teaching, lead a skilled team of support staff, and ensure every pupil receives the tailored support they need to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the Academy’s SRB, ensuring outstanding teaching, learning and specialist SEND provision.
• Deliver a broad and ambitious curriculum, adapting teaching to meet individual educational needs and statutory EHCP requirements where applicable.
• Develop and review personalised learning plans alongside pupils, parents and carers.
• Monitor pupil progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and adapt provision to maximise outcomes.
• Support effective transitions into, within and beyond the SRB.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, external agencies and specialist professionals to ensure consistent, evidence-based best practice is delivered.
• Lead and support teaching staff working within the SRB, promoting continuous professional development.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, behaviour, attendance and pupil wellbeing.
• Contribute fully to the wider life of the Academy, including meetings, professional development and school events.

About You

The ideal candidate will have advanced SEND expertise, strong leadership skills, and specialised knowledge in supporting students with SEMH needs. You will have deep knowledge of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, as well as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP). You will also have proven experience delivering high-standard teaching and managing Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in a school setting.

Essential:

• An appropriate degree and other qualifications required for the award of QTS
• QTS
• Experience of quality first teaching or outstanding teaching in the relevant phases of education
• Knowledge and understanding of SEN CoP (2015) and the Equalities Act (2010) and statutory requirements relating to safeguarding, health and safety and child protection.
• Experience of successfully supporting the needs of students with SEND
• Strong understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment strategies.
• Experience of monitoring, assessing, recording and reporting on pupil progress.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with pupils, parents, colleagues and external professionals.

Desirable:

• Post graduate qualification in teaching, e.g. PGCE
• Training specific to supporting young people with SEMH or additional qualifications in relation to SEND, e.g. NASENCO, NPQ SENCO
• Knowledge and understanding of Education, Health and Care Plans and the statutory regulations that are involved
• Experience of leading or working within a specialist resource base
• Experience of multi-agency working in a school context
• Ability to develop strategies for creating community links

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.

* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Thetford Academy is a remarkable place to work and sits at the academic and cultural heart of its community. Our pupils follow a curriculum designed to prepare them for future challenges while fostering a deep appreciation and understanding of the world. They are supported in developing strong values and habits that empower them to make meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.

Joining Thetford Academy means becoming part of a committed, supportive, and ambitious team. Staff benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, collaborative networks, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people. If you are passionate about education and inspiring students to achieve their full potential, this is the place to grow your career.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.

The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Thetford, click here . In its 2025 inspection, Ofsted confirmed that The Thetford Academy has continued to provide a high-quality education, with excellent behaviour, a well-sequenced curriculum and impressive personal development opportunities. Pupils are proud to attend the school, feel safe, and benefit from committed staff and strong leadership.

Next Steps

Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Ilona Haye, PA to Principal ([email protected]).

To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.

When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.

Closing date for applications: 12noon on Monday 19th October 2026

Interview date: Monday 26th October 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.