The posting
Class Teacher - Maternity Cover
Salary Range: MPS/UPS+SEN Allowance
Location: The Bridge School, 36 Coppice View Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B73 6UE
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover up to 12 months
Start Date: 01-01-2027 or sooner
Job Overview:
At Forward Education Trust we clearly state our mission - empowering children and young people to live their best lives. This is encompassed in our 3 core values: working together with purpose; nurturing potential; inspiring success.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Class Teacher to join The Bridge School on a fixed term basis to cover maternity leave.
At The Bridge School, every pupil has a Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care Plan. We specialise in supporting children with complex and multiple needs, including Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), alongside additional needs such as visual or hearing impairment and behaviours requiring skilled, compassionate support.
What makes The Bridge School such a rewarding place to work is our unwavering belief in potential. Guided by our motto, “Be the Best You Can Be!”, we hold high aspirations for every child — and for one another as professionals.
Our carefully designed, future-focused, play-based curriculum is personalised and ambitious. It includes an overarching mobility curriculum and a rich sensory experiential pathway for our most profound learners. Communication underpins everything we do, ensuring every pupil can access learning in a way that is meaningful to them. We prioritise independence, life skills and preparation for adulthood at every stage.
Learning extends beyond the classroom through purposeful trips, inspiring visitors and inclusive whole-school events that broaden experiences and build confidence.
At The Bridge School, you will be part of a dedicated, supportive team working in close partnership with families and professionals, immersed in the principles of the Birmingham Curriculum Statement and British Values. Together, we create a nurturing, aspirational environment where children — and staff — truly canBe the Best They Can Be.
The Class Teacher - will actively supporting school activities where required, including attending educational trips, extra-curricular activities and parents’ evenings, which may require some out-of-hours availability.
The successful candidate will:
- Be enthusiastic and keen to learn - this would suit an innovative teacher or a trainee seeking to gain experience.
- Be passionate about developing children as independent learners and thinkers.
- Eager to develop excellent teaching practice and create a learning environment where all pupils can achieve their best.
- Be committed to making learning experiences memorable and fun. Be an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and can work effectively as part of a team.
- Be organised, professional and proficient, with appropriate IT skills.
- Work with the SENCO to ensure pupils with SEND are appropriately supported.
- Work with the DSL and their deputies to ensure safeguarding is promoted.
- Hold a Batchelors Degree and QTS qualification
Candidates are encouraged to visit the school and/or call to have an informal conversation with the Headteacher Andrew Seager.
T: 0121 464 8265
Benefits:
Forward Education Trust is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an Employee Value Proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:
Teachers' Pension Scheme
FET HUB - information all in one place, access to a range of benefits
Paid for Health Cash Plan - employee and dependent children benefit - option to add partner.
Staff voice - consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
Comprehensive induction and probation support and a supportive appraisal system
Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme - free confidential advice, with face-to-face consultations
Learning and development - including online learning and other resources.
Access to discounts and offers from Reward Gateway and My Perks
Mental Health First Aiders
Wellbeing package and family friendly policies
Rewards and awards throughout the year, in line with Trust behaviours and values
Closing Date for Applications: 09-10-2026
Interview Date: 15th and 16th October 2026
The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date. Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.
Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted; we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) or accept them in place of an application form.
If you do not hear from the school within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. The successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
An online search will also be carried out for all shortlisted candidates.
Forward Education Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must promote this ethos.
The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS; Prohibition check; Childcare Disqualification; qualifications, medical fitness; identity and right to work and two references.
