Lead Teacher - SEMH ARC - Orchard View Primary Academy
Location: Aylesbury
Overview
Do you want to be part of something new and exciting?
Do you want to help shape a specialist SEMH provision from its very beginning?
Are you ready to grow with Orchard View Primary Academy as we open The Glade and move into our new building in September 2026?
If so, we would love to hear from you.
Salary: £32,916.00 - £45,352.00 Annually (FTE) MPS 1 - 6 (depending on experience) + TLR
Hours: Full time
Starting date: 1st September 2026
Closing date: 31st March 2026
Interviews week commencing: 13th April 2026
Early applications are encouraged; we reserve the right to interview strong applicants before the closing date of this advert.
About us
Orchard View Primary Academy is a partner academy within the Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust. As a growing academy, this role offers a rare opportunity to join a school at a formative stage and play a key role in the development of The Glade, our new SEMH ARC. You will be part of a values-led and ambitious team, committed to inclusive practice and positive outcomes for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Orchard View Primary Academy is a brand-new academy, offering a unique opportunity to be part of something special from the very beginning. Built on strong values, high expectations and an unwavering belief in the potential of every learner, Orchard View is committed to inclusive, high-quality education for all.
Orchard View opened in September 2025 with 60 pupils across Foundation Stage and a mixed Year 1/Year 2 class and is currently operating from Kingsbrook View Primary Academy, a partner school within the Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust. From September 2026, Orchard View will move into a state-of-the-art new building and expand to a capacity of 180 pupils across Foundation Stage, Years 1, 2 and 3.
Website: https://orchardviewprimaryacademy.org/
About the role
As the academy grows, we are opening The Glade, our specialist Social, Emotional & Mental Health Additionally Resourced Centre (SEMH ARC), designed to provide a nurturing, structured and therapeutic environment for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The provision will support pupils to re-engage with learning while developing emotional regulation, resilience and positive relationships.
This role is ideally suited to an experienced teacher with a strong understanding of SEMH needs and inclusive practice, who is passionate about relational approaches, behaviour as communication and trauma-informed strategies. The successful candidate will be confident in leading a specialist provision, modelling high-quality practice, and working collaboratively with the SENDco, senior leaders, families and external professionals to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a new SEMH provision from its inception, within a values-driven and supportive academy that believes in the power of education to transform lives.
Job Description: Purpose of the Role:
* To lead and deliver high-quality, inclusive teaching within The Glade, the academy's SEMH ARC, enabling pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs to re-engage with learning and achieve positive academic, social and emotional outcomes.
* The Lead Teacher will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational leadership of the SEMH ARC, modelling best practice, promoting positive behaviour, and supporting pupils' wellbeing, attendance and readiness to learn. The role carries shared responsibility for safeguarding, inclusion and the development of a nurturing, structured and therapeutic environment.
The postholder will treat pupils and colleagues with dignity, build strong relationships rooted in trust and respect, and consistently model professional boundaries appropriate to a teacher's role.
The Job Description should be read alongside the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document and the Teacher Standards.
Main Duties: The post-holder will be expected to carry out the following- please also refer to the attached recruitment pack for a full job description:
* Set High Expectations
* Promote Good Progress and Outcomes
* Demonstrate Strong Curriculum and SEMH Knowledge
* Plan and Teach Well-Structured Sessions
* Adapt Teaching to Meet Individual Needs
* Make Accurate and Purposeful Use of Assessment
* Manage Behaviour Effectively
* Fulfil Wider Professional Responsibilities
* Personal and Professional Conduct
Person Specification: Please refer to the attached recruitment pack, to view the person specification.
About you
Does this sound like you?
• You are child-centred, with a deep commitment to meeting the needs of pupils with SEMH
• You are an excellent classroom practitioner, skilled in engaging, motivating and re-engaging learners
• You have a strong understanding of behaviour as communication and use relational, trauma-informed approaches
• You are passionate about enabling children to flourish academically, socially and emotionally
• You demonstrate high expectations, resilience and determination for yourself and others
• You are confident in leading practice, modelling consistency and supporting colleagues
• You thrive in a collaborative team and value strong partnerships with families and professionals
• You embrace challenge and see new beginnings as opportunities to innovate and grow
• You will model our PRIDE values, particularly integrity, respect and determination
In return, we offer you:
• A brand-new, purpose-built school building opening in September 2026
• The opportunity to shape and lead a new SEMH ARC from its inception
• A welcoming, inclusive and growing academy community
• High-quality, bespoke professional development within a supportive Trust
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing and workload balance
• The chance to be part of a school driven by moral purpose, ambition and excellence
Other information
Further information:
For further information please visit our website www.ovpa.org.uk or to discuss the role further please contact our Head of Academy, Mrs Liz Jones via email: [email protected]
Visits:
Visits to meet our Head of Academy, Mrs Liz Jones, are warmly welcomed but need to be arranged in advance. Please email: [email protected] or call: 01296 254042 to arrange a visit.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should apply through the online My New Term platform, which includes a personal statement that should outline your suitability for the post by referring to the Recruitment Pack.
https://mynewterm.com/jobs/151634/EDV-2026-OVPA-70569
Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview strong applicants before the closing date of this advert.
In compliance with Safer Recruitment guidelines, CV's cannot be accepted and you will need to complete an online My New Term application form to be considered for the position.
Shortlisting:
Candidates will be notified if they have been successful for interview. Interviews will be held on receipt of strong applications
Orchard View Primary Academy and the Inspiring Future's Partnership Trust are committed to safeguarding children, promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Online searches will be completed prior to shortlisting and an enhanced DBS and qualifications check will be carried out upon appointment of all successful candidates.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).
For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.
