Early Years Teacher (QTS) | SEND Specialist School | London (Chelsea / Imperial Wharf)
Imperial Wharf, Chelsea (Hammersmith & Fulham), London
Vacancy listed 05/06/2026
Application deadline 26/06/2026
Details
Early Years Teacher (QTS) | SEND Specialist School | London (Chelsea / Imperial Wharf)

Location: Imperial Wharf, Chelsea (Hammersmith & Fulham), London
Salary: Up to £50,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent (Monday to Friday)
Setting: SEND / Autism Specialist Primary School, Early Years provision

At First Bridge School, we are hiring for a school Early Years Teacher (EYT).  This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the earliest and most critical stage of learning for children with autism in a school designed specifically for them.

About First Bridge School
First Bridge School is a DfE-registered specialist SEND school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with autism and complex developmental needs, located in Chelsea, London.

Our Early Years provision is where many of our pupils begin their journey with us. You will be working with children at the start of their educational experience, in an environment built from the ground up to meet the needs of young autistic learners.

This is not a mainstream Early Years setting. Teachers work daily alongside Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Behaviour Specialists within a fully integrated therapeutic model.

The Role
We are looking for a qualified Early Years Teacher with QTS to lead a small class of pupils aged 2 to 5 with autism and complex developmental needs. You will deliver structured, play-based, and EHCP-aligned learning, supported by trained Teaching Assistants and a multidisciplinary clinical team.

Your focus is early communication, independence, and the foundational skills that create conditions for long-term development.

Key Responsibilities
  • Plan and deliver individualised Early Years provision aligned to EHCP outcomes and EYFS principles
  • Use autism-specific teaching strategies including structured routines, visual supports, and communication systems
  • Create a predictable, sensory-considered, and emotionally safe learning environment
  • Support early communication development in partnership with the SaLT team
  • Differentiate learning for pupils at varying developmental stages, including pre-verbal pupils
  • Implement positive behaviour support strategies consistently and calmly
  • Monitor and assess pupil progress using observation, tracking, and EHCP review processes
  • Collaborate with OT, SaLT, and Behaviour Specialists to ensure integrated approaches
  • Maintain strong, professional communication with parents and carers
  • Uphold safeguarding and SEND best practice at all times

Requirements

Essential
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and successful completion of ECT Induction
  • Experience teaching in Early Years, SEND, or autism-specialist settings
  • Understanding of EYFS frameworks and how to apply them within a SEND context
  • Strong knowledge of EHCPs, differentiation, and personalised learning
  • Ability to support pupils with autism, communication needs, and behaviour differences
  • Confident, structured classroom management
  • Strong observation and assessment capability
  • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

Desirable
  • Experience in a specialist SEND school, early years resource base, or alternative provision
  • Knowledge of autism-specific approaches (e.g. TEACCH, PECS, Intensive Interaction), experience working alongside SaLT, OT, or clinical colleagues
  • Experience with pre-verbal or minimally verbal pupils aged 2 to 5

What You Get
  • Up to £50,000 salary with performance progression and bonuses
  • Daily collaboration with therapists (SaLT, OT, Behaviour Specialists)
  • Manageable workload with realistic planning and admin expectations
  • Funded professional development in SEND, autism, and Early Years specialist education
  • Strong staff support model — no isolated teaching
  • 34 days holiday (inclusive of bank and public holidays)
  • Laptop for work and home use
  • Clear career progression pathways within a growing specialist school

Who This Role Is For
  • Teachers who want to specialise in Early Years SEND and autism education
  • Educators motivated by developmental milestones, not standardised attainment data
  • Professionals who value structured, purposeful teaching environments
  • Teachers who want genuine multidisciplinary collaboration, not isolation

Who This Role Is Not For
  • Teachers seeking a mainstream or traditional Early Years classroom
  • Those uncomfortable supporting pupils with complex needs or behaviour differences
  • Teachers who prefer unstructured or highly flexible teaching approaches

Safeguarding
We expect everybody to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Pre-employment checks are carried out, professional references sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks.
 
We comply with the DBS code of practice. As such, having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; the nature of the position and the circumstances and context of your offences will be considered.
 
Online Searches
An online search is carried out on all shortlisted candidates.
 
Share An Initial Interest
Please submit your CV and a brief statement outlining why you would like to work at FBS and how you feel your experience makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
 
Apply
After expressing an initial interest and reviewing the information on our website, suitable applicants will be invited to an initial screening phone call and to complete our application form.

Click the links to download the forms.
FBS Application form
FBS Self-disclosure form

Trial Visit & Formal Interview
Applicants who are shortlisted will be required to attend an assessment and interview day.

Referral Awards
We offer referral awards to existing colleagues for recommending people who come to work with us. 

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