Deputy Headteacher, SENCO, DDSL
Monday-Friday 8.45am-5.15pm Term Time (42 weeks per year)
Contract Type: Temporary to Permanent (Temp-to-Perm)
Salary £50,000 – £56,000
This role will suit an experienced and committed education professional who is passionate about supporting children and young people with SEND and who has experience of leading, managing and developing others within an education setting.
As Deputy Headteacher, the successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day leadership of the school, with responsibility for managing and supporting the teaching team, providing clear direction, maintaining high professional standards and contributing to the continued development of teaching and learning across the provision.
Alongside their SENCO responsibilities, they will be an enthusiastic and visible leader who values learning beyond the traditional classroom and enjoys spending time outdoors. They will be comfortable actively participating in our outdoor and nature-based provision and recognise the positive impact that practical, experiential learning can have on engagement, wellbeing and educational outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.
We are looking for someone who can combine strong educational leadership and SEND expertise with a genuine enthusiasm for our outdoor ethos; someone who can lead and develop others while remaining actively involved with pupils, colleagues and the wider school environment.
The Provision
Based within 6.4 acres of woodland and a unique animal-based natural environment, the outdoors is central to our ethos and the way we work. We use nature, animals, practical experiences and learning beyond the traditional classroom to engage young people and create opportunities for achievement in ways that recognise their individual strengths and needs.
We are supported by a committed and innovative staff team who share a solution-focused approach to providing high-quality, individualised education and support for our young people.
We are looking for a Deputy Headteacher SENCO DDSL who meets all the following criteria:
Essential:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a relevant qualification at Level 5 or above within education, teaching, SEND, leadership or a related discipline.
- Experience working as a SENCO and/or holding significant responsibility for leading SEND provision within an educational setting.
- Proven experience of leading, managing and developing teaching or education staff, including providing professional direction, support, constructive challenge and accountability.
- Experience of line management, supervision and performance management, with the ability to support colleagues to develop their practice and maintain high professional standards.
- Demonstrable experience of contributing to educational leadership and school/service improvement.
- Ability to provide confident and visible leadership, make effective decisions and deputise for the Headteacher when required.
- Strong understanding of high-quality teaching and learning, with experience of monitoring educational practice, pupil progress and outcomes.
- Thorough and current understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, relevant education legislation and statutory responsibilities within a SEND setting.
- Experience coordinating and leading Annual Reviews and producing high-quality statutory documentation.
- Experience reviewing EHCPs, monitoring outcomes and ensuring identified provision is effectively implemented.
- Experience developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and appropriate educational interventions.
- Experience reviewing Local Authority consultations, EHCPs and professional reports to consider whether identified needs can be appropriately met within a provision.
- Experience contributing to or completing pupil assessment processes and using assessment information to inform educational provision and placement decisions.
- Experience planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating education for children and young people with SEND.
Experience supporting children and young people with a range of needs,
- including SEMH, Autism, ADHD and other neurodiverse presentations.
- Experience working collaboratively with Local Authorities, parents/carers and multidisciplinary professionals.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional report writing and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain oversight of statutory deadlines and responsibilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment whilst providing clear educational leadership and direction.
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and Keeping Children Safe in Education, with the confidence to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture within the education team.
- Ability to contribute to educational risk assessments, behaviour support planning and strategies that promote pupil engagement, safety and positive outcomes.
- High levels of emotional intelligence, empathy and resilience, with the ability to develop positive and trusting relationships whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with pupils, families and colleagues.
- A genuine commitment to outdoor and experiential education and an understanding of how learning beyond the traditional classroom can support children and young people with SEND and SEMH.
- Willingness and ability to work outdoors throughout the year and an understanding of the physical demands of working across a 6.4-acre outdoor education site, including woodland, open areas and uneven terrain.
- Comfortable working within an environment that includes a variety of animals, including reptiles and invertebrates, as part of the school’s specialist learning environment.
Desirable:
- Previous experience as a Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher or member of a Senior Leadership Team within an educational setting.
- Experience working within an independent special school or specialist SEND provision.
- Experience working within a secondary and/or independent school environment.
- Previous experience supporting preparation for an Ofsted inspection.
- Experience supporting staff development through coaching, mentoring or delivery of professional development.
- Experience of outdoor, experiential, nature-based or animal-assisted learning.
- Knowledge or experience of therapeutic, trauma-informed or relational approaches to education.
- Knowledge of appropriate KS4/KS5 qualifications, accreditation pathways and preparation for adulthood for young people with SEND.
- Full UK driving licence with access to own vehicle.
CPD, Training and Development
We fully support upskilling for all members of staff. Further opportunities for career development, extended study and or CPD will be available where appropriate to the role and progression.