At Spark Academy, we believe every child deserves to belong, grow and thrive.
We are a specialist education provider committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people through high-quality, trauma-sensitive 1:1 tuition. We are looking for compassionate, skilled SEN tutors to support primary and secondary learners in your local and surrounding areas.
This is a rewarding in-person role for tutors who can build trust, adapt learning creatively and help children and young people re-engage with education, confidence and hope.
About the role
This role offers the opportunity to do the kind of teaching many educators value most: focused, relationship-based work with the same students each week.
As a Spark Academy tutor, you will deliver 1:1 in-person tuition to children and young people with SEND and SEMH needs. Because tutors often work with the same learners each week, you have the opportunity to build strong relationships, provide consistent support and see the impact of your teaching over time. Most of our tutors go on to build a consistent weekly timetable with recurring students, offering valuable continuity for both tutors and learners.
Many of our tutors support 1 to 3 pupils per day, creating a timetable that offers both variety and consistency. Without the demands of a full classroom, you can focus on personalised teaching, adapt lessons in the moment and respond to each learner’s individual needs, interests and barriers.
Each student typically receives 9 hours of weekly tuition, usually made up of English, Maths & Mentoring.
Sessions are delivered in person, usually in the student’s home or in a local community venue such as a library.
This is a meaningful opportunity for tutors who want flexibility, purposeful work and the chance to help vulnerable learners rebuild confidence, re-engage with education and make sustained progress.
Why join Spark Academy?
At Spark, our values are more than words. They shape how we support our young people and how we work together as a team.
Belong
- Join a warm, values-led organisation where relationships matter
- Be part of a supportive tutor community that shares ideas, resources and best practice
- Receive dedicated support from our SEN/SEND support team throughout each placement
Grow
- Access ongoing CPD and upskilling opportunities
- Use ready-made lesson resources to support high-quality delivery
- Continue developing your practice in SEND, SEMH and trauma-sensitive approaches
Thrive
- Enjoy flexible part-time or full-time opportunities
- Deliver meaningful in-person tuition that changes lives
- Work with a child-centred organisation focused on long-term educational and emotional progress
- Be part of a role that supports both learner outcomes and tutor wellbeing
Who we are looking for
We are looking for tutors who share our belief that every young person should have the opportunity to belong, grow and thrive.
You will be:
- experienced in teaching or tutoring children and young people
- confident supporting learners with additional needs
- calm, adaptable and emotionally attuned
- able to build positive, trusting relationships
- creative in your approach and responsive to individual needs
- committed to safeguarding, professional boundaries and child-centred practice
This role is especially well suited to:
- qualified teachers
- SEN teachers
- intervention specialists
- former teachers returning to flexible work
- tutors with strong SEND experience
- other experienced education professionals with a strong background in 1:1 support for vulnerable learners
Essential requirements
You must have:
- experience teaching or tutoring the British National Curriculum
- experience supporting children or young people with SEND and/or SEMH
- availability during school hours, typically 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
- a full UK driving licence and access to reliable transport
- willingness to travel to students in your local or surrounding areas
- access to your own laptop and smartphone for communication, planning and role-related administration
- the right to work in the UK.
- This is a self-employed position. Applicants on a UK Student Visa are not eligible to undertake self-employed work. Are you eligible to accept self-employed work in the UK?
- a degree and/or a relevant teaching or education qualification
- a strong commitment to safeguarding and professional conduct
- willingness to work on a self-employed basisDesirable
It would be beneficial if you have:
- QTS or QTLS
- experience supporting learners with autism, ADHD, anxiety, MLD or SLD
- mentoring or pastoral experience
- an Enhanced DBS certificate for the child workforce, ideally registered with the DBS Update Service
- two professional references
Application process
We would love to hear from you if you feel you could make a meaningful difference as part of the Spark Academy team.
Our recruitment process includes the following stages:
Stage 1: Initial screening
Please apply through Indeed by completing the screening questions and submitting your CV.
Stage 2: Application form
If shortlisted, you will be invited to complete a formal application form.
Stage 3: Formal online interview
Candidates who successfully complete the application form stage will be invited to attend a formal online interview.
We aim to review applications promptly and, where suitable, progress candidates through each stage as quickly as possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Spark Academy is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people feel they belong, can grow and are supported to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and value the diversity of experience, perspective and identity within our team.
Safer Recruitment Policy Statement
Spark Academy is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services. All successful applicants will undertake pre-employment checks, and a Disclosure & Barring Service check. Please note, this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Freelance
Pay: £20.00-£28.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Are you able to deliver in-person 1:1 tuition in the advertised area and surrounding communities? If yes, please state the maximum distance or travel time you are willing to travel from home.
- Do you have a full UK driving licence and access to reliable transport?
- Are you available to work during school hours, typically 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday?
- If you are available during the school day, how many hours per day are you typically available during these times?
- If successful, how soon could you realistically start tutoring with Spark Academy?
- Do you have experience teaching or tutoring children or young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs? Please provide us with the information.
- Please outline your relevant teaching or education qualifications.
- Do you currently hold an Enhanced DBS certificate for the child workforce registered with the DBS Update Service, or would you be willing to obtain one if successful?
Work Location: In person
