Assistant Headteacher

Assistant Headteacher
Location: Congleton
Start Date: April 2025

Simply Education is seeking a passionate and dedicated Assistant Headteacher to join our independent special school in Congleton. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our students, ensuring they receive a personalised education that aligns with their talents, interests, and aspirations.

About the School

Our school provides a unique and bespoke learning environment, supporting students in achieving both academic and vocational qualifications, including SATs, GCSEs, and vocational studies such as beauty and catering. We are committed to developing life skills through the use of local resources, equipping students to transition successfully into further education, employment, or independent living. With a student-first approach, we focus on engagement, wellbeing, and holistic development, ensuring that each student's educational journey is tailored to their strengths and aspirations.

The school is a fairly new establishment, taking its first pupils from January 2023. Since then, the school has grown to approximately 40 students currently on roll.

The school has an Educational Psychologist based on-site, supporting students in understanding their past and providing strategies to help them recognise, manage, and self-regulate their own feelings. Additionally, the school has a therapy dog that frequently visits the site, providing comfort and emotional support to students.

On the ground floor, the school has developed a workshop where students can learn bike maintenance, personal training, nutrition, woodwork, plastering, and bricklaying. This initiative is in partnership with local colleges, where some students attend one day per week to further develop their vocational skills.

The Role

We are looking for an inspirational and strategic leader who can take ownership of the teaching and learning within the school, supporting the Headteacher in developing a high-performing team. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will play a vital role in curriculum development, staff training, and student outcomes. Additionally, experience in overseeing safeguarding practices would be highly beneficial.

Our students come from a range of challenging backgrounds, so we require someone who is resilient, understanding, and able to implement strong behaviour management strategies. If you are passionate about inclusion, innovation, and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on teaching and learning strategies, ensuring high-quality education delivery.
• Work alongside the Headteacher to develop and mentor the teaching team, promoting professional growth and excellence.
• Oversee curriculum planning and implementation, ensuring it aligns with students' career aspirations.
• Foster a positive learning environment, ensuring students are engaged and supported.
• Support students in gaining academic and vocational qualifications, tailored to their abilities and interests.
• Lead on behaviour management strategies, ensuring a safe and supportive school environment.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding and student wellbeing, ensuring policies are followed and best practices upheld.
• Collaborate with external agencies to enhance student support services.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community.

Why Join Our Team?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable students.
• Access to a company car for planned off-site activities.
• Mileage compensation for home visits to support students unable to attend the setting.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment, including access to Teaching Assistants and an on-site clinical psychologist.
• A creative arts department that celebrates student achievements.
• Reduced contact hours to allow time for planning, research, behaviour tracking, and student progress monitoring.
• Excellent work-life balance with structured support.

How to Apply

If you are an aspirational and dedicated Assistant Headteacher looking to take the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply today! Click 'Apply Now' and submit your CV.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Emma Bloore, SEND Recruitment Consultant at our Cheshire office in Nantwich.

Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview (online or face-to-face) and undergo relevant safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and two years of referencing.

Join our team in Congleton and be part of a nurturing and forward-thinking school community committed to empowering students and shaping their future. We look forward to hearing from you!