Lead Teacher – Special Education | Term 1, 2027
Melbourne, Victoria | P–12 Specialist School | Full-Time | Special Education/SEN Qualification Essential | Sponsorship Available
Are you an experienced Special Education Teacher ready to take the next step in your career and lead meaningful teaching and learning initiatives within a specialist school environment?
Prospero Teaching is working with a supportive P–12 specialist school in Melbourne seeking an experienced and passionate Lead Teacher – Special Education to join its team in Term 1, 2027.
This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who combines strong classroom practice with curriculum leadership, staff mentoring and a commitment to improving outcomes for students with additional learning needs.
A recognised Special Education or Special Educational Needs (SEN) qualification is essential. Internationally trained teachers with relevant leadership experience are encouraged to apply, and visa sponsorship may be available for the right candidate.
About the School
This specialist school provides an individualised learning environment for students with intellectual disabilities and diverse learning needs. Its approach focuses on developing students' academic abilities, communication, social skills and independence while preparing them for meaningful participation in their communities and life beyond school.
The school is committed to:
- Individualised learning and personalised education programs.
- Student wellbeing, inclusion and positive behaviour support.
- Communication, social development and independence.
- Student voice, agency and personal growth.
- Practical, real-world learning experiences.
- Community participation, vocational education and future pathways.
You will join a collaborative team of teachers, Education Support staff and allied health professionals, working alongside families to improve student outcomes and strengthen teaching and learning practices across the school.
About the Role
As Lead Teacher – Special Education, you will combine high-quality teaching with instructional leadership, curriculum development and staff collaboration. You will play an important role in strengthening teaching practices, supporting colleagues and ensuring learning programs respond effectively to students' individual needs.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing leadership in curriculum planning, teaching and learning within a specialist education setting.
- Developing, reviewing and implementing individualised learning programs.
- Supporting the design and delivery of differentiated literacy, numeracy and curriculum-based learning.
- Mentoring and coaching teachers to strengthen classroom practice and student outcomes.
- Leading collaborative planning, moderation and professional learning initiatives.
- Supporting teachers to implement evidence-informed instructional strategies.
- Promoting effective assessment practices and the use of student data to inform teaching.
- Monitoring student progress and supporting the evaluation of individual learning goals.
- Modelling effective classroom management, positive behaviour support and inclusive teaching practices.
- Working collaboratively with Education Support staff, allied health professionals and families.
- Contributing to school improvement initiatives, curriculum development and strategic planning.
- Promoting consistent, high-quality teaching practices across teams and year levels.
- Supporting the development of communication, social, functional and independent living skills.
- Helping ensure learning programs connect with students' longer-term goals and pathways.
This position would suit an experienced educator who enjoys developing others, leading improvement and making a tangible difference to the learning experiences of students with diverse needs.
Instructional Leadership and Staff Development
An important component of this role is the ability to influence teaching quality beyond your own classroom.
You will have opportunities to support colleagues through collaborative planning, professional dialogue, mentoring and the sharing of effective specialist teaching practices.
Key areas of focus may include:
- Leading professional learning and curriculum development.
- Supporting teachers to differentiate learning and set meaningful individual goals.
- Strengthening assessment, progress monitoring and evidence-informed practice.
- Promoting consistent approaches to student wellbeing and positive behaviour support.
- Supporting collaborative work between teachers, Education Support staff and allied health professionals.
- Encouraging reflective practice, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Helping establish a shared understanding of high-quality teaching in specialist education.
The successful candidate will be someone who leads through strong relationships, professional knowledge and a clear commitment to improving outcomes for every student.
Real-World Learning and Future Pathways
A key focus of specialist education is preparing students for greater independence and meaningful participation in life beyond the classroom.
Depending on individual learning programs and year levels, learning opportunities may include:
- Community participation and engagement.
- Travel training and developing independence.
- Communication, self-management and daily living skills.
- Vocational education and work experience.
- Enterprise activities and employment preparation.
- Practical literacy and numeracy.
- Further education and post-school pathways.
As Lead Teacher, you will help strengthen the connection between curriculum planning, individual student goals and practical learning experiences. You will support colleagues to develop programs that promote independence, build confidence and prepare students for their next stages of life.
About You
To be successful in this position, you will be:
- A qualified teacher with a recognised Special Education/SEN qualification — essential.
- Currently registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), or eligible to obtain registration.
- An experienced Special Education Teacher with a strong understanding of diverse learning needs.
- An effective instructional leader who can support and develop colleagues.
- Experienced in curriculum planning, differentiation and individualised learning programs.
- Confident using assessment information and student data to inform teaching and measure progress.
- Knowledgeable about inclusive education, student wellbeing and positive behaviour support.
- An effective communicator who builds strong relationships with students, families and colleagues.
- Skilled at leading collaborative planning and professional learning.
- Patient, adaptable, organised and solutions-focused.
- Committed to high expectations, student agency, independence and meaningful learning outcomes.
- Passionate about developing staff capability and contributing to whole-school improvement.
Previous experience in a specialist school, curriculum leadership, mentoring, coaching or a formal leadership position will be highly regarded.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Leadership opportunity: Influence teaching quality, curriculum development and student outcomes.
- Meaningful impact: Support students to develop essential skills, confidence and independence.
- Collaborative environment: Work with teachers, Education Support staff and allied health professionals.
- Professional development: Help mentor colleagues and strengthen teaching practices.
- Individualised education: Contribute to learning programs tailored to students' strengths, needs and goals.
- Real-world learning: Support practical, community-based and vocational learning opportunities.
- International applicants welcome: An opportunity for overseas-trained Special Education Teachers with leadership experience.
- Sponsorship consideration: Visa sponsorship may be available for the right candidate, subject to eligibility and applicable requirements.
International Teachers and Relocation Support
If you are an internationally trained Special Education Teacher with leadership experience and are considering relocating to Victoria, this could be an excellent opportunity to progress your career in a specialist education setting.
Prospero Teaching can provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, including information about:
- Victorian Institute of Teaching registration requirements.
- Qualification recognition and eligibility.
- Visa sponsorship options, where available.
- Relocation considerations and commencing work in Victoria.
Candidates must meet the relevant teaching registration, qualification and visa requirements. Overseas applicants should also be prepared to demonstrate how their previous leadership experience translates to the Victorian school context.
Position Details
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
- Position: Lead Teacher – Special Education
- School type: P–12 specialist school
- Employment: Full-time
- Start date: Term 1, 2027
- Qualification: Recognised Special Education/SEN qualification essential
- Registration: Current VIT registration or eligibility required
- Experience: Specialist teaching and leadership experience highly regarded
- Sponsorship: May be available for the right candidate
Interested?
If you are an experienced Special Education Teacher ready to take on a leadership role and help shape teaching practice, staff development and student outcomes, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Laura at Prospero Teaching
Email: laura@prosperogrp.com
Phone: 0403 303 259
Get in touch for a confidential conversation about the role, leadership responsibilities, school environment, qualification requirements, sponsorship and relocation opportunities.
Take the next step in your leadership career and help create meaningful learning opportunities for students with diverse needs.