Salary: OHCAT Inner London Unqualified Pay Scale, SP 1 – 4 , £28,343.00 to £35,814 (depending on experience) + SEN 1 £ 2,787.00 per annum
Location: Nightingale Community Academy, Priory Lane Satellite Centre, London, SW15 5RT
Start Date: April 2026
Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged between 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose-built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post-16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds.
Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return.
We are excited to announce the development of a new satellite centre, opening after Easter 2026. This provision will offer up to 72 secondary places for boys and girls, introduced through a phased build-up over three years. Joining the team at this new site provides a unique opportunity to help shape a brand new provision from the ground up, creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for students from day one.
We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic, and adaptable Unqualified Teacher to join our team at our new satellite centre. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about education, eager to develop their teaching skills, and committed to making a real difference in the lives of children with SEMH needs.
Key Responsibilities:
• Plan, prepare, and deliver lessons under the guidance of senior staff and in line with the school curriculum.
• Support pupils’ learning, social, and emotional development, adapting approaches to meet individual needs.
• Manage classroom behaviour positively, fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Monitor and assess pupil progress, providing feedback and contributing to planning and reporting.
• Collaborate with colleagues, TAs, and school leaders to create a consistent and effective learning experience.
Key Requirements:
• Holds a relevant degree or equivalent qualification (QTS not required).
• Demonstrates passion, patience, and resilience, with a genuine interest in SEMH education.
• Is confident in delivering lessons and managing a classroom environment.
• Shows excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building positive relationships with pupils and colleagues.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, understanding confidentiality and school policies.
OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits: Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.
Our Trust
Nightingale Community Academy is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
Closing Date: Sunday 30th November 2025
Interviews will take place on: The week commencing 8th December 2025