Most Deputy Head roles ask you to manage decline and process paperwork. This one asks you to build something brilliant. You'll work alongside the Head Teacher to shape the vision of a thriving specialist school where young people with autism and SEMH needs don't just attend lessons - they leave feeling proud of what they've achieved. If you're a leader who gets fired up by those huge small victories, this is your place
Imagine a school day where a young person who's struggled in every previous setting finally sits through a lesson without shutting down. That's the win we're talking about. As Deputy Head, you'll see those moments multiply across the whole school, because you'll be building the systems, the team and the culture that make them possible. Not pretend wholeness - real transformation
You won't be alone in this. You'll work with a management team and specialist support staff who genuinely know what they're doing. The school is housed in a beautifully refurbished historic mill - proper learning environments, well-resourced classrooms, spaces designed for young people with social communication difficulties, sensory processing needs and anxiety. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do. That's not marketing speak; that's how they recruit and develop
The progression here is real. Most of the Head Teachers in the group have been promoted from within. This role isn't a dead-end rung on a corporate ladder - it's a genuine next step in a teaching career that matters. Full induction, specialist training, proper support every step of the way
What you will be doing
- Work alongside the Head Teacher to set the vision for the school and ensure we have the right people, systems and plans in place to deliver it
- Lead on curriculum development and teaching quality, supporting staff to meet the complex needs of young people with autism, social communication difficulties and emotional regulation challenges
- Manage and develop a team of specialist educators, fostering a culture of high expectations, positive relationships and personalised support
- Oversee pupil progress and outcomes, celebrating the huge small victories that add up to genuine transformation
- Champion a sense of belonging, achievement and success across the school, ensuring every young person feels safe, respected and included
Why you will love working here
- Salary of £64,691 to £71,330 - proper pay for proper leadership work in the education sector
- Full school holidays plus a full induction and ongoing specialist training to build your expertise
- Flexible benefits you can personalise (life insurance, healthcare cover, high-street discounts, employee assistance and wellbeing support)
- Choice of pension schemes including Teachers' Pension and an attractive TPS alternative to suit your life
- A £1,000 recommend-a-friend bonus scheme, and beautiful working environments with the best facilities - because where you work matters
- A genuine pathway to Head Teacher roles within the group, with internal promotion a real possibility for leaders who deliver
Is this you?
- You hold Qualified Teacher Status and have genuine teaching experience in mainstream or specialist settings
- You've already worked in a Senior Leadership Team role - you know how to drive change, support staff and keep the big picture in focus
- You're resilient, dedicated and genuinely moved by the work of helping young people with complex needs. You get why the small wins matter
- You're a compassionate, creative leader who believes in bringing your whole self to work and helping young people do the same
- You have the capacity to grow into this role with support - we're not looking for someone who has all the answers, but someone committed to building something together
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.