Harriston School announces special needs teacher vacancy: Apply by 24 October 2025

Harriston School, an independent, Christian-based institution located in Harrismith, is currently inviting applications for a passionate Special Needs Teacher. This important role involves working within a mainstream setting to inspire, support, and empower pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). If you have qualified foundation or intermediate phase teacher status, a deep understanding of diverse learning needs, and are bilingual in English and Afrikaans, this could be an excellent opportunity for you to join a dedicated team. Applications, consisting of a CV and cover letter, need to be submitted by 24 October 2025.

Detailed list of the vacancy

• School Name: Harriston School
• Location: Harrismith
• School Type: Christian based, independent school
• Position: Special Needs Teacher
• Focus of the Role: To support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within mainstream classes.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Teaching and supporting SEN pupils of various ages to aid their academic, social, and emotional development.
  • Assessing learner progress and compiling biannual formal reports for parents.
  • Collaborating with the SEN co-ordinator and manager to design and deliver individualised learning programmes.
  • Working alongside other teachers, teaching assistants, external specialists, families, and the wider community for a cohesive approach.
  • Monitoring pupil progress and implementing timely interventions.
  • Contributing to the enhancement of inclusive practices across the school.
• Candidate Requirements:
  • Qualified foundation or intermediate phase teacher status, with a strong passion for learners with special needs.
  • Demonstrated understanding of various additional needs (e.g., autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties).
  • Bilingual proficiency in both spoken and written English and Afrikaans.
  • Possession of patience, empathy, and flexibility in teaching approach.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment.
• What the School Offers:
  • A supportive and forward-thinking leadership team.
  • A warm and inclusive school community.
  • Access to school resources and staff support.
• Application Deadline: 24 October 2025

Simple summary of the vacancy

Harriston School, a committed independent and Christian-based institution situated in Harrismith, is looking to recruit an enthusiastic Special Needs Teacher. The school prides itself on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is given the opportunity to flourish. This specific role involves working directly with pupils who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within mainstream classrooms, ensuring they receive the tailored support needed for their academic, social, and emotional growth.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching and supporting SEN pupils, assessing their progress, and preparing detailed reports for parents twice a year. A key aspect of the job is collaboration – you’ll work closely with the SEN co-ordinator, other teachers, teaching assistants, and external specialists, as well as families and the community, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to each child’s learning. Monitoring progress and providing timely interventions are also crucial elements of the position, alongside contributing to the development of inclusive practices across the entire school.

To be considered for this teaching jobs role, applicants must hold qualified foundation or intermediate phase teacher status and demonstrate a genuine passion for supporting learners with special needs. An understanding of a wide range of additional needs, such as autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties, is essential. Bilingual proficiency in both English and Afrikaans (spoken and written) is also a requirement. The school is looking for someone who is patient, empathetic, flexible, and possesses excellent communication and teamwork skills, and is deeply committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment for all pupils. In return, Harriston School offers a supportive leadership team, a welcoming and inclusive community, and access to valuable school resources and staff support.

How to apply for this post

• Prepare your Curriculum Vitae (CV). It should be no longer than 3 pages.
• Write a compelling covering letter.
• Send both your completed CV and covering letter via email to [email protected].
• Ensure your application is submitted by the deadline of 24 October 2025.
• For more details about the original vacancy, you can visit the source: Special Needs Teacher Vacancy at Harriston School.

Q&A for potential candidates

• Q: What is the most important quality Harriston School is looking for in a Special Needs Teacher?
  A: A strong passion for learners with special needs is paramount, coupled with qualified foundation or intermediate phase teacher status.
• Q: How important is being bilingual for this position?
  A: It’s a key requirement. You must be bilingual in spoken and written English and Afrikaans to effectively communicate with pupils, parents, and staff within the school community.
• Q: What kind of experience with special needs should I highlight in my application?
  A: You should demonstrate an understanding of a range of additional needs, such as autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties. Providing examples of how you’ve supported learners with these needs would be beneficial.
• Q: What should I include in my covering letter?
  A: Your covering letter should clearly express your passion for special needs education, highlight your relevant experience and qualifications, and explain why you believe you are a good fit for Harriston School and its inclusive environment.
• Q: The advert mentions “collaborate with external specialists.” What does this entail?
  A: This means working closely with professionals like speech therapists, occupational therapists, or educational psychologists to ensure a comprehensive support system and tailored learning plans for pupils.
• Q: Is there any flexibility on the CV length?
  A: The advert explicitly states “No longer than 3 pages,” so it’s crucial to keep your CV concise and impactful, focusing on the most relevant experience and qualifications.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment?
  A: In your application and interview, share specific examples of how you’ve previously contributed to such environments, perhaps through classroom practices, extracurricular activities, or school-wide initiatives.
• Q: What resources and support can I expect from the school?
  A: Harriston School offers a supportive and forward-thinking leadership team, a warm and inclusive school community, and access to school resources and staff support to assist you in your role.
• Q: What are the school’s values, given it’s a Christian-based institution?
  A: While the specific values aren’t detailed, being a Christian-based school suggests an emphasis on nurturing, community, and values aligned with Christian principles. Understanding and respecting this ethos will be important.
• Q: What if I’m looking for other teaching jobs in similar schools?
  A: You can often find a variety of opportunities by looking at specialist job boards or educational recruitment sites. For more teaching jobs, you might want to explore dedicated platforms.

Institution details

Harriston School is an independent, Christian-based school situated in Harrismith. No specific website address or physical address was provided in the vacancy listing.