Vacancies | Five Acre Wood School

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

TEACHERS

We are seeking enthusiastic, creative teachers to join our friendly and dynamic community. Whether you are an experienced SEN teacher, an ECT eager to grow or a mainstream teacher looking for a rewarding new direction, we would love to hear from you. We have a strong track record in developing colleagues from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be an ‘Outstanding’ school and an IQM Flagship School, known for our warm culture, innovative practice and commitment to ‘Only the best will do’. Our rich provision includes hydrotherapy, multi‑sensory spaces, soft play, therapy dogs, Forest School, outdoor learning areas, a life‑skills lodge, shop and our hospitality training café in partnership with Costa Coffee. Specialist therapy, NHS partners and a dedicated family liaison team work closely with our staff to support every child.

You will benefit from a comprehensive induction, a buddy and mentor, a highly supportive leadership team and extensive professional development. Relationships, teamwork and wellbeing are at the heart of our culture.

For further information, please click here to view the job description. To apply please complete the Application Form and email it to hr@five-acre.kent.sch.uk

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Inspirational Teaching Assistants are required at this very special school. Are you adaptable and able to bring out the best in our pupils with special talents, aged 2 – 19, with severe, profound or complex needs?

Due to an increase in pupil numbers we require Teaching Assistants to join our “Outstanding” school. We are looking for drive, enthusiasm and potential to join our friendly, professional, positive and forward looking school. This is a great opportunity to develop your career by building on your current success.

The working hours are 8:30am-3:30pm term time only, Monday to Friday (full-time).

As a large special school we have a history of promoting our TA’s to Senior TAs and HLTAs. For those that have a degree or working towards a degree we have a career path to becoming a Teacher.

Successful candidates will either be experienced and successful Teaching Assistants who enjoy team working and taking responsibility or have worked in a Special Needs or child based environment. Alternatively you may have a passion for special needs and looking for your first opportunity. You will benefit from opportunities for further professional development and career progression as we value and support staff in all aspects of school life. The successful candidate will also have a strong commitment to inclusive principles and be committed to safeguarding children and young people.

TA positions would be based in a class team but would be required to cover in other classes when required.

For further information, please click here to view the job description. To apply please complete the attached Application Form and email it to hr@five-acre.kent.sch.uk

Outdoor Learning Environment Assistant

Are you passionate about the outdoors and committed to helping children thrive through hands-on learning experiences?

Five Acre Wood School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) Assistant to support the development and day-to-day operation of our , with a particular focus on supporting our exciting Forest School provision.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in creating and maintaining engaging outdoor learning spaces for children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Working alongside our OLE team, you will help develop woodland and outdoor learning areas, support pupil activities, care for the site and animals, and contribute to meaningful learning experiences that build confidence, independence and wellbeing.

As an OLE Assistant, you will:

Support the ongoing development of our Forest School area and outdoor learning spaces.
Help prepare resources and environments for outdoor learning sessions.
Work alongside staff and pupils during outdoor activities, ensuring safety, engagement and positive learning experiences.
Assist with the maintenance and improvement of woodland, horticultural and outdoor areas.
Help care for animals and maintain enclosures and welfare standards.
Carry out basic maintenance tasks, site checks and repairs to ensure a safe environment.
Support fundraising and development projects within the Outdoor Learning Environment.
Observe and contribute to pupil progress, wellbeing and individual outcomes.
Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support the needs of pupils with SEND.

You will join a supportive and dedicated team where your ideas, enthusiasm and commitment can make a genuine difference to the lives of our pupils.

The working hours are 37 per week, between 8:00am-7.00pm term time only, Monday to Sunday on a rota basis; plus 4 weeks in school holidays. This would mean working 7.5 hours per day Monday-Friday (between the hours of 8am-7pm) plus one weekend per month. School holiday dates will be agreed with you in advance. There may be some requirement to travel to other Five Acre Wood sites.

For further information, please click here to view the job description. To apply please complete the attached Application Form and email it to hr@five-acre.kent.sch.uk

Commercial Catering Manager

Five Acre Wood School is looking to appoint a Commercial Catering Manager who will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, industry-standard catering training for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This role is central to the school’s commitment to providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences that foster independence, confidence, and employability skills among pupils aged 4 to 19 across diverse learning approaches.

Situated within a special school environment with a high proportion of pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), and other complex needs, the role demands a sensitive and adaptive approach. The Commercial Catering Manager will oversee the transformation of the existing teaching kitchen into a fully equipped commercial kitchen, supporting the school’s vision of inclusion, personalised learning and community engagement. This initiative will provide pupils with hands-on experience producing and selling goods via the on-site school shop (Peggy’s FAW-tique) and hospitality training academy (The FAWrient Express).

Successful candidates will hold a relevant qualification in hospitality management or a related field (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership) plus a Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate or be willing to work towards gaining. Experience of working in a café or similar food service establishment and of training and supervising staff is essential. Experience of working with individuals with special needs or in an educational setting would be an advantage.

Five Acre Wood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, online searches and additional employment references in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025).

Working 37 per week, Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am-4pm. Term time only plus 2 weeks.

We look forward to hearing from you!

For further information, please click here to view the job description. To apply please complete the attached Application Form and email it to hr@five-acre.kent.sch.uk