I really need to talk to someone...

[Nuancedcrisis]

I'm looking for a new teaching job. I've found a school that I would like to apply for. It's an independent special needs school.
I looked round and liked it but they said that you don't get a break due to not working enough hours (it's a 40 hour week on the advert.)
Does anyone have any experience with this?
I can't stay where I am as I feel like I am being pushed out, its making me ill.I really don't want to teach anymore but can't afford the pay drop (bread winner.) I'm so incredibly sad as I've been there 15 years.

No that doesn’t sound normal. Avoid. Teaching is already demanding enough and most of us are working through our breaks on a 40+ hour week anyway, but for a school to advertise as such is insane. (Also, not legal!)

That's nonsense, don't touch it with a barge pole however bad where you are is- there are always options out there or in the way.

I have worked in an SEMH school (LA though) and although yes we would lose bits of break or lunch if needed to respond to an incident we still had them blocked into our days as per basic employment law.

The only way you wouldn't get a break in this school you've seen is if they had inadequate staffing aka taking the funding and not spending it on staff. They may want you to do lunch duties etc but there are ways to structure things so that those who are on lunch with students also get their own break, providing there are enough adults employed.

Thank you. I thought as much. I can't stay where I am, they are intentionally bullying me and it's making me so ill.

I think you need to get advice from an employment lawyer on this- get evidence of what they are doing
Speak to your GP too- if they are actively bullying you out stand up and don't back down