SEN PPA Teacher - Autism & Complex Needs

Croydon, South London | Specialist SEN School | Full-Time | Temp to Perm
£220 - £290 per day | Autumn 2026 Start

Are you an experienced SEN Teacher who enjoys variety and thrives working across different classes, age groups and levels of need?

Are you confident stepping into specialist classrooms and quickly adapting your teaching to pupils with Autism, SLD, PMLD, complex communication needs and associated disabilities?

Would you like a teaching role where you can focus on delivering engaging, meaningful learning without having sole responsibility for one class throughout the week?

A large and growing specialist SEN provision in Croydon is looking for an experienced PPA Teacher to join its teaching team on a full-time, temp-to-perm basis.

This is a particularly varied role, providing planned PPA cover across different classes and specialist pathways while ensuring pupils continue to receive consistent, high-quality teaching when their usual Class Teacher is completing planning, preparation and assessment time.

The wider provision supports children and young people from early years through to Post-16, with pupils presenting with a broad range of additional needs including Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), complex communication needs, physical disabilities, sensory needs and associated social and emotional difficulties.

Pupils access highly individualised learning according to their developmental level, communication profile and EHCP outcomes. Depending on the class, learning may range from sensory and developmental programmes through to more structured academic, functional and life-skills-based curricula.

The school works closely across education, therapy and wellbeing, with high levels of classroom support and individualised provision for pupils requiring significant adult assistance. This reflects the underlying specialist model, where teaching staff work alongside therapists and wellbeing professionals and pupils may access everything from formal learning to sensory, communication and independence-focused programmes.

The role

As the PPA Teacher, you won't simply be providing generic cover.

You will become a consistent member of the teaching team, working across a timetable of classes and taking responsibility for delivering meaningful learning while Class Teachers complete their PPA.

One day could involve teaching a group of autistic pupils accessing a highly adapted curriculum, while another may involve supporting learners with profound or severe learning difficulties through sensory, communication and engagement-focused activities.

The ability to read a class quickly, work effectively with established Teaching Assistants and maintain pupils' familiar routines and approaches will therefore be particularly important.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing high-quality PPA cover across a range of specialist SEN classes.
• Delivering planned and appropriately differentiated lessons while maintaining continuity with the Class Teacher's curriculum.
• Teaching pupils with Autism, SLD, PMLD, communication difficulties and complex additional needs.
• Working confidently across different ages and developmental levels.
• Adapting lessons in the moment according to individual pupil presentation, regulation and engagement.
• Delivering practical, sensory, creative and highly individualised learning where appropriate.
• Supporting pupils working within formal, semi-formal and informal curriculum pathways.
• Using AAC, visual communication, objects of reference and other individual communication systemswhere required.
• Maintaining established sensory, communication and emotional-regulation strategies for individual pupils.
• Creating calm, predictable and low-arousal learning environments.
• Supporting pupils to develop communication, independence, engagement and functional life skills.
• Working closely with experienced Teaching Assistants and Senior Teaching Assistants within each class.
• Providing clear classroom leadership and ensuring support staff are deployed effectively during lessons.
• Following individual pupil support plans, EHCP outcomes, communication profiles and risk-management strategies.
• Maintaining consistent behaviour and wellbeing approaches when moving between classes.
• Liaising with Class Teachers to ensure smooth handovers before and after PPA sessions.
• Providing feedback on pupil engagement, progress and any significant developments during lessons.
• Working collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, wellbeing practitioners and other specialist professionals.
• Supporting pupils with physical and medical needs in accordance with individual plans and appropriate training.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, pupil welfare and professional practice throughout the school day.

We are looking for:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Previous experience teaching pupils with SEND.
• Strong experience with Autism and/or complex learning needs would be particularly valuable.
• Confidence working with pupils who may be non-speaking or use alternative methods of communication.
• An understanding of highly differentiated and developmental approaches to teaching.
• The ability to move confidently between different classes without losing consistency or structure.
• Strong classroom management and the ability to establish positive relationships quickly.
• A calm, patient and flexible approach to pupils whose presentation may change throughout the day.
• Confidence leading experienced Teaching Assistants within unfamiliar classes.
• The ability to follow established classroom programmes while still bringing creativity and enthusiasm to lessons.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• A genuine interest in specialist education and improving outcomes for pupils with complex additional needs.

Previous experience with SLD, PMLD, AAC, sensory learning or highly individualised autism provision would be advantageous, although experienced SEN Teachers with a willingness to develop further across these areas are also encouraged to apply.

Why consider this role?

This is an excellent opportunity for a teacher who enjoys teaching but wants something different from being responsible for one class five days per week.

You will gain exposure to a wide range of pupils, specialist approaches and curriculum pathways while working alongside experienced SEN teachers, support staff and multidisciplinary professionals.

The organisation is continuing to grow, creating genuine opportunities for teachers to develop and progress internally. Staff may also have opportunities to work across different specialist sites depending on pupil numbers, individual strengths and the needs of the wider provision.

The role is initially offered on a temporary basis with a clear opportunity to move into a permanent position, making it an excellent option for an experienced SEN Teacher looking to join a specialist organisation for the longer term.

£220 - £290 per day | Full-Time | Temp to Perm | Croydon, South London

Apply now or send your CV to Stephen at KPI Education to be considered.

INDTEA