Thank you for your interest in Hopescourt School, a new all-through specialist school which will open in September 2024 and is the first specialist free school within the Bourne Education Trust. Hopescourt School’s Headteacher, Alexandra Burrows is delighted to have the opportunity to develop this new and much needed provision for children with Autism in Walton-on-Thames.

This is an exciting time for new staff to join the school, providing an opportunity to play an instrumental role in our journey right from the first day of opening. The schools' vision is that we equip our pupils for life and offer the best of mainstream and specialist settings, breaking down barriers and ensuring that opportunities are expanded so that they can flourish.

In our first year, we will be welcoming up to 77 new pupils across years 7 to 10, in class sizes of no more than 11, and will be opening in temporary accommodation on the former Hurst Park school site in West Molesey. Our brand new, purpose-built facility on Waterside Drive in Walton-on-Thames should be completed in Spring 2025. From September 2025 onwards, our numbers will grow incrementally with intakes into Reception and Year 3 as well as Year 7. All of our pupils will either have a diagnosis of Autism, or identified communication and interaction needs as their primary need on their Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and will be functioning at broadly age-related expectations.

We are looking for outstanding classroom practitioners to join Hopescourt School. The successful candidates will be passionate about teaching and learning and have the ability to motivate pupils, build their confidence and to support them to be truly aspirational. We believe that every child should leave the school able to take their place in society and thrive.

This is an exciting opportunity to participate in the school's journey from the beginning, helping to shape our culture and ethos and create a successful and high performing environment for our pupils. You will be working with like-minded individuals who are passionate about giving all children but especially those with special education needs the best start in life.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be made subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service approval ('DBS') as part of our rigorous approach to safeguarding our children.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Bourne Education Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.