Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Headteacher
Independent Special School | North Derbyshire
Permanent | Term Time
January 2027
LTE Search is working with an independent specialist school in North Derbyshire to appoint an experienced Deputy Headteacher to work closely with the Headteacher and play a central role in the continued development of the school.
The school provides therapeutic education for a small cohort of young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and complex safeguarding profiles. Pupils may have experienced significant trauma, disruption and barriers to education, with some presenting vulnerabilities relating to child sexual exploitation (CSE) and other safeguarding concerns.
The setting provides a highly individualised and structured approach, with small classes, high levels of staff support and personalised education and behaviour plans designed around each pupil's needs, abilities and starting points.
This is a school where strong, visible leadership matters. The successful Deputy Headteacher will need to be confident operating in a complex environment, providing clear direction to staff, maintaining high professional standards and ensuring that education, safeguarding, behaviour and pastoral support work together effectively.
The Role
The Deputy Headteacher will work closely with the Headteacher, providing visible leadership across the school and supporting the continued development of its educational provision.
Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Leading teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment across the school
• Developing staff and maintaining high standards of professional practice
• Supporting behaviour, attendance and pastoral provision within a trauma-informed approach
• Providing strong leadership around safeguarding, SEND and multi-agency working
• Contributing to school improvement, quality assurance and the wider operational leadership of the school

The role will also deputise for the Headteacher when required and play an active part in developing the culture, standards and day-to-day effectiveness of the school.
The Person
We are looking for a strong and experienced senior educational leader who is confident working with young people with SEMH and complex safeguarding needs.
You will ideally bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience within a special school, specialist setting, alternative provision or other complex educational environment
• Strong knowledge of SEMH, SEND, behaviour and trauma-informed practice
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding, including the vulnerabilities associated with child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• Experience of leading, developing and challenging staff
• Strong knowledge of teaching, learning, curriculum and school improvement
• The ability to build effective relationships with pupils, families, residential colleagues and external agencies
• QTS or QTLS and a good understanding of relevant inspection and regulatory requirements

Above all, this role requires a leader who is confident taking responsibility, making sound decisions and providing strong day-to-day leadership. You will need to be visible, consistent and prepared to challenge when necessary, while maintaining a therapeutic and relationship-based approach with young people and staff.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to take a significant leadership role within a small special school where the Deputy Headteacher will have a direct influence on the culture, standards and day-to-day experience of both pupils and staff.
Working closely with the Headteacher, you will help ensure that safeguarding, behaviour, pastoral support and education are joined up effectively, while continuing to develop teaching, curriculum and staff practice.
For an experienced Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Head of School or other senior educational leader with strong specialist experience, this represents an opportunity to play a significant role in the continued development of a therapeutic education setting supporting highly vulnerable young people.
The school offers a competitive package, alongside an enhanced pension scheme, life assurance, funded training and qualifications, enhanced maternity and paternity provision and a range of employee wellbeing and discount benefits.
If you are a strong senior educational leader with a background in specialist education, SEND/SEMH and complex safeguarding, we would be very interested in hearing from you.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Online searches will be conducted as part of the safer recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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