Recruitment
Five Acre Wood is a vibrant, outward‑looking and expanding special school based across four sites in and around Maidstone. With over 800 pupils aged 4–19, we are one of the largest special schools in the country, supporting a diverse range of profound, severe and complex needs. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan and learn through one of our eight learning approaches.
Our vision is to empower every individual in a safe, creative and inclusive community to thrive, achieve and prepare for life’s journey. We do this by delivering personalised learning, nurturing wellbeing, celebrating achievements, expanding life experiences and working in strong partnership with families and professionals.
Our values—Belonging, Integrity and Innovation—shape how we work every day. Through the Five Acre Wood Way, we commit to being ‘Together Stronger,’ putting ‘Pupils First’, and recognising that ‘Every Moment Matters’. These principles guide our culture, decisions and the consistent, positive environment we create for pupils and staff.
In addition to salary, SEN allowance and pension, staff benefits include:
- Confidential counselling service and Employee Assistance Programme
- School Counsellor (for staff and pupils)
- Wellbeing app
- Annual flu vaccinations
- Strong social, supportive staff community
- Development opportunities
- Half price gym membership
We encourage you to explore our website to see our unique facilities—including a library housed in an aeroplane and a counselling space in a lifeboat—plus examples of our innovative approaches to learning across all sites.
We hold an annual music festival for our pupils, which gives them the opportunity experience something they may not ordinarily be able to access. We have also produced some of our own songs and music videos. You can view all of these by clicking on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/@FiveAcreWoodRecords
Five Acre Wood is committed to the safeguarding of all its pupils, you will therefore be subject to an enhanced disclosure process. As part of our responsibility for safeguarding, in addition to the Kent policy of one employment and one personal reference, the school will request additional employment references. The school will also, as outlined in Keeping children Safe in Education 2026, complete an online search for shortlisted candidates.
Please see below for details of our current vacancies…we look forward to hearing from you!
Vacancies
Please click here to view our current vacancies.
