PE / Forest School Teacher – SEND Secondary School (Burgess Hill Area)

Salary: Up to M5 (negotiable for the right candidate)
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: 1 Year Maternity Cover
Location: Just outside of Burgess Hill

We are working with a truly fantastic specialist SEND secondary school just outside of Burgess Hill, supporting young people with Autism and additional needs. Set within beautiful grounds with extensive outdoor space, this school offers a calm, nurturing and inspiring environment where both pupils and staff are encouraged to thrive.

The school are seeking a passionate and engaging PE / Forest School Teacher to join them for a 1-year maternity cover from September. Alongside delivering PE and outdoor learning sessions, the successful candidate will also take on responsibilities as a tutor for a Year 7 or Year 8 class, supporting students pastorally and academically throughout the school day.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic about outdoor education, relationship-building and supporting autistic young people within a specialist environment. The school is known for its welcoming atmosphere, supportive leadership team and strong sense of community.

There may also be opportunities for alternative or permanent roles within the school following the maternity cover for the right person.

The Role

• Delivering engaging PE and Forest School sessions to secondary-aged pupils with Autism
• Acting as a tutor for a Year 7 or Year 8 class
• Supporting students’ emotional wellbeing, engagement and social development
• Creating structured, creative and accessible learning experiences
• Encouraging confidence, resilience and independence
• Working closely with Teaching Assistants, therapists and the wider school team
• Building positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues

The Ideal Candidate

The school is looking for someone who:

• Holds QTS or has relevant teaching experience
• Has experience supporting children or young people with SEND, particularly Autism
• Is passionate about PE, outdoor learning and relationship-based practice
• Has a calm, patient and proactive approach
• Can adapt lessons to meet individual learning and communication needs
• Enjoys working as part of a close-knit and supportive team
• Brings energy, creativity and positivity into the classroom

What the School Offers

• A beautiful setting with extensive outdoor learning space
• A highly supportive and welcoming team
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development
• A rewarding and meaningful role supporting autistic young people
• Potential opportunities for longer-term or permanent positions following the maternity cover

What’s in it for You?

• Term time only – great work-life balance
• School hours – no night shifts or long 12-hour days
• Opportunity to make a real impact every day
• Supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and development

Important Notice

To successfully apply for the above position, you should be eligible to work in the UK or hold a relevant work visa. Safeguarding, quality and integrity are at the heart of what we do. Pink Tile is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within education. During the application process, you will be required to:

• Provide details for us to complete reference checks before employment
• Provide an Enhanced DBS on the update service or be willing to obtain one (which Pink Tile can assist with)

Pink Tile Education, their schools and candidates all share the view of “Best Fit, Every Time” and our role is to ensure that every candidate we place has a positive impact on the team of their new employers.

We have a policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we sometimes cannot reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time, your application may have been unsuccessful on this specific occasion, but we encourage you to apply for positions that you may see in the future. Alternatively, please check missed calls and all your email folders as it may have been that we have tried to reach you. Thank you.