KS2 Class Teacher (Year 5/6) - Maternity Cover
Salary: MPS/UPS + SEN1 Allowance (in line with current pay scales)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover - FULL-TIME OR 4 DAYS PER WEEK (MONDAY-THURSDAY)
Start: Monday 2nd November 2026, or as soon as possible.
Location: Olsen House School, Merseyside
Our vision
At Olsen House School, our vision is simple: Dream • Believe • Achieve.
As a specialist ASD/SEMH school, we want every student to dream about their future, believe in themselves, and achieve outcomes that prepare them for life beyond school. This vision is underpinned by our values: Be Kind, Be Ambitious, Be Inspired, which shape our relationships, our teaching and our leadership.
About Olsen House School
Olsen House School is a specialist setting for students with Education, Health and Care Plans, with a core focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated social, emotional and mental health needs. Many of our students have experienced barriers to learning or disruption to their education, and we respond with calm, structured, autism-responsive practice and exceptionally strong relationships.
We believe that students thrive when adults lead with kindness, hold ambitious expectations and inspire confidence and curiosity.
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and adaptable KS2 Class Teacher to lead a Year 5/6 class on maternity cover for the remainder of the 2026/27 academic year. The vacancy is open to full-time applicants and candidates seeking a four-day week (Monday-Thursday). The role will focus on:
Applications are welcomed from experienced teachers and Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Appropriate induction, mentoring and support will be provided for ECTs.
- Delivering an ambitious, well-sequenced Year 5/6 curriculum
- Adapting learning for students working across a wide range of developmental and academic starting points
- Supporting students with EAL, early reading and phonics needs
- Providing highly personalised learning for students accessing elements of an Early Years-level curriculum
You will:
- Take day-to-day responsibility for a KS2 Year 5/6 class and plan a broad, balanced and appropriately adapted curriculum.
- Teach English and mathematics explicitly while ensuring wider curriculum learning is purposeful, accessible and engaging.
- Plan effectively for significant differences in attainment, including two students requiring a highly adapted curriculum with EAL, phonics and Early Years-level learning needs.
- Use assessment, modelling, scaffolding and intervention to close gaps and demonstrate progress from individual starting points.
- Work closely with teaching assistants, pastoral staff and therapists to ensure EHCP provision is translated into consistent classroom practice.
- Maintain strong communication with families and colleagues and ensure a clear handover at the end of the maternity-cover period.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a strong KS2 practitioner with secure knowledge of the upper-primary curriculum.
- Can teach early reading and phonics and adapt learning for students working significantly below age-related expectations.
- Can support EAL and communication needs within an ASD/SEND setting.
- Is values-led: Be Kind, Be Ambitious, Be Inspired.
- Has high expectations and a strong commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing.
Why work for us?
- Competitive salary (MPS/UPS) + SEN1 allowance
- Supportive, visible leadership and strong staff support systems
- Workload-aware culture and high-quality CPD
Visit us
We welcome candidates who would like to visit the school before applying.
Please contact: Karen Horocks (Office Manager) Tel - 0151 924 0234, email [email protected] to arrange a visit.
How to apply
For full details, please see the job description and person specification.
Interviews: Week beginning 5th October 2026
Start date: Monday 2nd November 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter (maternity cover)
The successful candidate will be supported by experienced teaching assistants, pastoral colleagues and therapy professionals throughout the placement.
Benefits include:
- £500 refer-a-friend bonus
- cycle to work scheme and laptop loans
- discounts on cinema trips, electronics, fashion, home and garden, travel, groceries, gifts, utilities, health and fitness
- long service and employee of the month awards
- employee assistance and counselling service, wellbeing support and advice
Olsen House School is part of Kedleston Group. We specialise in providing specialist education for children aged 7-19 with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These include autistic spectrum condition (ASC), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting children and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children are recruited to work for us. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 and is subject to a range of vetting checks including a criminal records disclosure.
We are a disability confident committed and equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
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