Most school leadership roles ask you to manage decline or triage crisis. This one is different: you'll be building something genuinely special from the ground up, working alongside a Head Teacher with real vision and a team that actually has the resources, expertise and space to do the job properly. If you've ever felt frustrated by a system that doesn't understand neurodivergent young people, this is your chance to help fix it
Picture this: you're working in a beautifully refurbished historic mill building with young people who have autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. Many have had rough rides in mainstream settings. Here, they're part of a community that gets them - understands their sensory needs, their communication challenges, their anxiety. You're not fighting the system; the system is built to support exactly what these young people need
As Deputy Head, you'll shape the vision alongside the Head Teacher and set the direction for the whole school. You'll celebrate what we call 'huge small victories' - the moment a young person sits through a full lesson, the breakthrough in understanding, the first time they feel proud of themselves. Those moments add up into real transformation. And you won't be alone: you'll have a broader management team, specialist support staff, and colleagues who are genuinely the best at what they do
This provider invests properly in their schools. The buildings are well-resourced, the training is comprehensive, and career progression is real - most of their head teachers have been promoted from within. You're not joining a struggling service; you're joining a growing, confident one that knows its mission and has the evidence to back it up
What you will be doing
- Work alongside the Head Teacher to set and drive the strategic vision for the school, ensuring the right people and plans are in place to help young people leave feeling proud of what they've achieved
- Support the leadership and development of teaching and learning across the school, particularly for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs
- Help build and maintain a nurturing, inclusive culture where every pupil feels safe, respected and celebrated for their individual strengths
- Work with the broader management and specialist support teams to ensure high expectations, positive relationships and personalised support are embedded across the school
Why you will love working here
- Salary of £64,691 - £71,330, reflecting the real value this provider places on excellent leadership
- Full school holidays so you can actually recharge and spend time on what matters to you
- Exceptional pension options including Teachers' Pension and a very attractive TPS alternative, because your future security matters
- Comprehensive benefits package including life insurance (flexible to your needs), medical cover so you can claim back optician and dentist costs, employee assistance for your wellbeing, and high-street discounts
- A recommend-a-friend scheme paying £1,000 every time you bring someone great into the team, because you know the right people
Is this you?
- You hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and have previous teaching experience you're genuinely proud of
- You're resilient and dedicated - you understand that working with young people who have complex needs isn't always straightforward, but you're energised by the progress they make
- You're a leader who is compassionate, creative and inspiring - you bring your whole self to work and you're committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil
- You understand neurodivergence (particularly autism and SEMH) and you're passionate about building educational environments where these young people thrive, not just survive
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.