TEACHER - Westfield Arts College

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative class teacher to join our committed team. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled professional who has proven teaching experience in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. This vacancy is for a secondary ASC specialist class and strong practice in this area is required.

• Plan effectively for the teaching and learning of core subjects within a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring progression and high-quality outcomes for all our SEND pupils.
• Create and maintain a classroom environment that promotes a total communication approach, regulation and engagement.
• Use Therapeutic Thinking approaches to understand and support behaviour, fostering resilience and personal development.
• Work closely with families, teaching staff, teaching assistants, therapists and external agencies to ensure holistic support for each young person.

• A qualified teacher (QTS, ideally primary trained), with successful experience of delivering a broad curriculum, including English and maths, to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, especially in relation to ASC, ADHD, sensory and speech, language and communication needs.
• Excellent communication and relational skills with pupils, families and colleagues.
• A creative, reflective and solution focused practitioner who is able to adapt and differentiate to meet diverse needs and is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, independence and self-esteem.
• A strong team player who is committed to ongoing professional development and to contributing positively to Westfield’s ambitious Broadening Horizons curriculum.

• A real opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of extraordinary young people.
• A highly supportive and collaborative staff team that values therapeutic practice and emotional wellbeing.
• Ongoing training and development in Therapeutic Thinking, communication approaches and SEND pedagogy.
• Excellent facilities, beautiful grounds and welcoming learning environment
• A school community that celebrates progress in all its forms – academic, social and emotional.

Westfield is a highly regarded 4-19, 230 pupil Dorset special school. All pupils have significant learning difficulties, some with additional complex needs. The successful candidate will be joining a vibrant and successful school. They will also receive the full support of an exceptionally committed and skilful staff team. Ofsted judged us as outstanding in February 2023.

Westfield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Government’s safer recruitment guidelines. We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Closing Date:
Thursday 26 November 2026

Interviews:
Thursday 10 December 2026

Start Date:

as soon as possible

Job description and application forms are available via the Dorset Council Jobs website.

For more information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Julie Rook, Admin Officer (HR) on or j

Further information about Westfield can be found at

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA…