Secondary Nurture Class Teacher

Full Job Description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?*

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Secondary Nurture Class Teacher
Location: New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8HZ
Salary:     Up to £45,000.00 per annum + £5,000 Welcome Bonus
Hours:     37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Rota:        8:30am – 4:30pm daily | Wednesdays until 5:00pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        January 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available.

Are you a passionate, creative educator who believes every young person deserves the chance to thrive?

At New Barn School, part of Acorn Education, we are looking for an exceptional Secondary Nurture Class Teacher to join our supportive, forward-thinking community. Here, we celebrate the potential in every learner, and you will play a pivotal role in helping pupils with SEMH and additional needs build confidence, resilience, and a love of learning in a nurturing, structured environment.

About the Role

You will lead a dedicated nurture group, delivering a curriculum that is engaging, meaningful, and grounded in the principles of nurture. Your role will help break down barriers to learning, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. You will support pupils’ academic, social, and emotional development, fostering independence, self-belief, and a growth mindset.

Working closely with colleagues, parents, and external professionals, you will create a structured, supportive environment where pupils can flourish. You will also guide and mentor support staff, helping them contribute effectively to pupil progress and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver well-structured, differentiated lessons that meet the diverse needs and strengths of pupils
• Assess, monitor, and record pupil progress, using assessment meaningfully to inform teaching
• Set high expectations that motivate, challenge, and inspire learners
• Lead a group of pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural needs, providing a structured, balanced timetable that includes academic learning, emotional support, and consistent routines
• Ensure EHCP objectives are met and pupils make strong progress
• Build trusting relationships with pupils while maintaining professional boundaries
• Promote positive behaviour, attitudes to learning, and emotional wellbeing through consistent, supportive approaches
• Collaborate with parents, carers, and external agencies to support pupils’ holistic development
• Mentor support staff and ensure effective teamwork in delivering nurture and learning outcomes

What You’ll Bring

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• A full UK driving licence
• Passion for supporting pupils with SEMH or additional learning needs
• Creativity, resilience, and a calm, reflective teaching style
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• A deep belief in the power of education to change lives

At New Barn School, you’ll be part of a compassionate, skilled team who believe in transforming lives through education. You’ll have the freedom to be creative, the support to grow professionally, and the opportunity to make a lasting difference for young people who need it most.

About Us

New Barn School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to boys and girls, aged 6 – 19 years who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health complexities.

New Barn School takes full advantage of its beautiful settings and fosters a love for using the outdoor curriculum including forest school, farm experiences and horse riding. The School is within a commutable distance of Swindon, Oxford, Andover, Basingstoke and Reading and other surrounding towns and villages.

Our services offer a stable, secure and supportive environment, in which the pupils and young people we care for can develop the skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to 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.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

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

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

**Welcome Bonus is payable as one payment of £5,000 after completion of one year of employment. Terms and Conditions Apply

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.

#1