Pre Formal Teacher

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title: Pre Formal Teacher
Location: Heath Farm School, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0AX
Hours: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term - March 2027 Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)? Do you believe that progress should be measured in confidence, communication, engagement and independence as much as academic achievement?

At Heath Farm School, we're looking for a compassionate and creative Pre-Formal Teacher to join our dedicated team and help pupils access the world around them through personalised, sensory-rich learning experiences.

This is a truly rewarding role where you'll work with pupils who require a highly individualised approach to education. Rather than focusing on traditional age-related academic outcomes, you'll support the development of foundational skills that enable pupils to communicate, connect, regulate emotions and engage with the world in meaningful ways.

Working closely with therapists, support staff and families, you'll create nurturing learning environments that celebrate every achievement and unlock every child's potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering highly personalised, pre-formal learning programmes tailored to individual pupil needs
• Supporting the development of early communication, interaction and engagement skills
• Using multi-sensory approaches including sight, sound, touch, movement and play to promote learning
• Working closely with speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and other professionals to integrate therapeutic approaches into everyday learning
• Supporting therapy-integrated learning programmes such as hydrotherapy, sensory regulation activities and massage stories
• Developing pupils' communication skills through strategies such as visual supports, now/next boards, symbols and intensive interaction
• Building routines, trust, emotional regulation and sustained attention through consistent, nurturing practice
• Monitoring and celebrating progress in small but significant developmental milestones
• Creating a safe, calm and stimulating environment where pupils feel secure, valued and ready to learn
• Working collaboratively with families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• Qualified with QTS or equivalent
• Passionate about supporting pupils with PMLD, complex needs and diverse learning profiles
• Experienced in, or enthusiastic about, pre-formal and sensory-based learning approaches
• Creative, patient and able to adapt learning to individual needs
• Skilled at building trusting relationships and supporting communication development
• Comfortable working alongside therapists and implementing therapeutic strategies
• Committed to inclusive, child-centred practice
• A collaborative team player with a positive and nurturing approach
• In possession of a full UK driving licence

This version should attract candidates specifically interested in PMLD and pre-formal education, while clearly differentiating the role from a traditional Primary Teacher position.

About Us

Heath Farm is an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every pupil can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for primary pupils through to the relaxed working environment of the specialist College Provision, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.

Our pupils present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.