Thrive Practitioner - Unqualified Teacher

THRIVE Practitioner

Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire East   

Salary: £22,601 to £35,259 (UQT1-6) depending on experience and qualifications

Hours: 40 hours per week – Term Time Only  

Aurora Summerfields School opened its doors in April 2023 in the leafy town of Wilmslow, welcoming students aged 5 to 19 who face a range of challenges in accessing mainstream education—most typically linked to Autism spectrum conditions. Our independent specialist school offers an environment built on understanding, therapeutic support, and personalised learning.

With small classes, integrated care, and a nurturing ethos, we help every child re-engage with learning and rediscover their joy in school life.

Now, we’re looking for a dedicated THRIVE Lead to join us and help shape the future of our students through emotional development and behaviour support.

Your Mission:

As a THRIVE Practitioner, you’ll work alongside the Pastoral Lead and SENDCo to deliver targeted social, emotional and behavioural support. You’ll develop and deliver our THRIVE provision day-to-day, helping pupils grow in confidence and connection.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead 1:1 small group and class-based sessions
• Use the THRIVE Online tool to assess progress and plan strategies
• Prioritise safeguarding and student wellbeing
• Collaborate with families, staff, and multidisciplinary teams
• Support teaching teams with assessments and feedback
• Promote inclusive practice school-wide
• Contribute to reports, reviews and training sessions

Experience & Qualifications:

Required:

• GCSEs (Grade C/4+) in English and Maths
• Relevant, up-to-date training
• Experience working with children with SEN and social/emotional needs
• Understanding of Safeguarding, SEND, child development, and inclusive education

Desirable:

• THRIVE (or willingness to train)
• Experience with nurture/social skills groups
• Strong ICT, communication and interpersonal skills

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are:

• Emotionally intelligent, calm, and solution-focused
• A strong communicator and collaborative team member
• Positive, resilient, and deeply committed to each learner’s success
• Ready to contribute to a growing school community

Why Work at Aurora Summerfields?

At Aurora Summerfields, we’re more than a school—we’re a place of transformation.

We offer:

• 🌿 Specialist Teaching & Integrated Therapeutic Support: Students benefit from a carefully tailored curriculum and access to on-site Clinical, SaLT and Occupational Therapy teams.
• 👥 Small Classes, High Staffing Ratios: Ensuring each pupil receives the attention they need to succeed and achieve.
• 🖌️ Modern, Purpose-Built Learning Spaces: Including specialist Art & Design and Technology classrooms, a teaching kitchen, and quiet self-regulation zones.
• 🌳 Outdoor Access & Nurturing Environments: Access to outdoor space and MUGA, safe and enjoyable play equipment and facilities
• 🍽️ Healthy Living Focus: On-site high-spec school kitchen provides nutritious meals every day.
• 🚌 Community Engagement: Students regularly access community experiences via our dedicated school minibuses.

Every room is designed to be bright, modern and calming—recognizing that a safe environment is key to emotional growth and academic re-engagement.

Working here means being part of a school that listens, supports, and empowers—every student and every staff member.

Other benefits include: 

• Save money on your bills!!

With the cost of living rising we have a fantastic benefit through Perkbox to help with cutting costs and help make your money go further.  Perkbox is a free app for you to use on the go wherever you are.  You can get deals and discounts to save money on things like your weekly food bill, phone plans, internet, eating out, gym memberships, insurance and more.  You can also use Perkbox for our cycle to work scheme and car scheme. 

• Competitive Pay and Reward

Every year we compare the market rates of pay and rewards to insure they are comparable or better to other similar organisations.  We also offer Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Enhanced Pension and Life Assurance.

• UK Health Cash Plan

This plan can help cover your day to day healthcare expenditure such as optician and dental bills.  You and your children are covered on this plan and you can also choose to upgrade and add a partner to enjoy the benefits with you.

• Employee Assistance Programme

Your health and wellbeing is very important to us and we have support available on a wide variety of issues, helping you with online tools, information and via a freephone counselling service available 24/7. 

• Refer a friend for £1,000

We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (*terms apply)

How to apply?

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details.  If you need any assistance or would like any more information please contact Karen in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at karen.barnfield@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.