Pre-Key Stage Teacher - Full-time

City of Rochester School, Cliffe Woods

• Ref:KCC887-6011-132S
• Posted:02/07/2026
• Pay:MPS + SEN Allowance
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:31/08/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

The City of Rochester School is a specialist independent school for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

We are seeking an exceptional Pre-Key Stage Teacher to join our dedicated team from September 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a highly personalised, therapeutic learning environment for pupils with complex autism, many of whom are pre-verbal or minimally verbal and working within the Engagement Model and Pre-Key Stage Standards.

Learning is driven by communication, relationships and meaningful experiences. We are looking for someone who understands that progress is measured through first interactions, shared attention, growing independence and developing confidence.

You will create an engaging continuous provision environment where every interaction is a learning opportunity. Working alongside Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and a skilled support team, you will deliver an ambitious curriculum centred on communication, regulation and independence.

This is an exciting time to join City of Rochester School. We believe every child deserves a personalised, engaging and aspirational education. Through therapeutic practice, structured routines, sensory experiences and meaningful play, we enable our pupils to develop the skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

We offer:

• MPS + SEN Allowance
• Flexible working
• 8% employer pension contribution
• School holidays plus up to 10 additional days' leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Comprehensive induction programme
• Monthly professional development
• Five INSET days focused on autism best practice and curriculum development
• Excellent career progression opportunities
• A collaborative, supportive team working alongside therapists and external professionals

We aim to:

• Deliver excellent educational outcomes for every child
• Develop independence and self-advocacy
• Support children to flourish socially, emotionally and personally

You will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (Primary or Secondary)
• A passion for supporting children with additional needs to achieve their full potential
• The ability to deliver a personalised curriculum within a nurturing, autism-specific environment
• Experience of working with autistic pupils is desirable but not essential. We will provide high-quality specialist training for the right candidate.

The City of Rochester School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Applications will be considered as they are received. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early application is encouraged.

Information about the school

City of Rochester School is a specialist school for children and young people aged 5–18 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). We are proud of our pupils, our strong partnerships with parents and carers, and our dedicated staff team who work together to create a safe, happy and inspiring environment for learning.

As a small school, we offer a highly personalised and bespoke curriculum built around the individual pupil. Guided by our core principles of Confidence, Resilience and Success, our curriculum is broad and ambitious, combining academic, vocational and creative learning delivered through a therapeutic and nurturing approach.

From Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, pupils can access a range of accredited programmes, from entry-level qualifications to GCSEs and beyond. Experiential learning is a key feature of our curriculum and includes opportunities such as forest school, STEM activities, photography, wellbeing, music, geographical exploration and meaningful work experience. Pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 also access age-appropriate vocational experiences at the Vocational College that build early practical skills, curiosity and independence.

Our partners include Squirrell’s Riding School, Larkin Farm, Creepy Claws Farm, Medway League of Friends and St Helen’s Church – to name a few. These partners understand the individual needs of our pupils and work with patience, flexibility and care to support confidence, inclusion and success beyond the classroom.

A key strength of the school is our Vocational College, which provides practical, hands-on pathways for pupils who thrive through technical and vocational learning. Courses include construction trades, engineering and motor vehicle studies, with English and mathematics embedded throughout. This provision is particularly well suited to pupils who do not enjoy learning in a traditional classroom environment and who are motivated by learning through “doing”.

Our post-16 provision, based at the Vocational College, focuses on preparing pupils for adulthood and life after education. Bespoke programmes develop independence, employability and life skills, including access to our on-site flat and extended work experience opportunities that support successful next steps.

Alongside academic learning, we place a strong emphasis on pupils’ social, emotional and communication development. Our therapeutic approach is embedded across the school and supported by a wraparound therapy team, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy, arts therapy and counselling. Strong relationships between staff, pupils and families form the foundation of our work.

During the most recent Ofsted Inspection in July 2024, inspectors recognised that “the school has designed its educational offer very carefully to ensure that pupils achieve well academically,” with learning that “deliberately builds on what came before and enables pupils to build their knowledge and understanding in manageable steps.” They also noted that pupils “work hard to meet the school’s high expectations for their behaviour and conduct and to achieve well in their learning.” This picture is strongly reinforced by feedback from our Parent Survey (2025), where all parents who responded said that their child is happy at City of Rochester School and spoke positively about the progress their child has made both academically and personally. Parents highlighted improvements in confidence, engagement with learning and readiness for next steps, saying that the consistent support helps pupils achieve success in ways that are meaningful for them.

Alongside our educational provision, City of Rochester School is committed to ensuring that our operational infrastructure is equally strong. The successful candidate will join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the school. Leading our finance, administration, premises and IT functions, the School Business Manager will manage a talented team including the IT Manager, Premises Manager and finance and administrative staff. Working closely with the Headteacher and Trustees, they will help ensure that our resources, systems and facilities continue to support the highest possible standards of education, care and outcomes for our pupils. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine strategic contribution to a growing and ambitious specialist school.

City of Rochester School also benefits from an experienced and supportive Trustee Board, whose breadth of knowledge and expertise provides strong strategic oversight and ensures a continued focus on high standards and positive outcomes for pupils.

We are proud of our school community and warmly welcome you to City of Rochester School.

Alicja Emmett Headteacher

Job Contact Information

• Name:Alicja Emmett
• Address:City Of Rochester School, Bradbury House, View Road, Cliffe Woods, Kent, ME3 8UJ
• Telephone: 01634 570706
• Email: alicja.emmett@cityofrochesterschool.org

Fax: 1003

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Application Form