At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to support children with diverse needs in a rewarding educational environment.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in providing high-quality education for young people with complex needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent salary, full school holidays, training, medical cover, and a ÂŁ1,000 referral bonus.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while working in a supportive and well-resourced environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Qualified Teacher Status and at least 2 years of leadership experience.
- Other info: This role requires an enhanced DBS check, and we celebrate diversity in our workforce.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
ÂŁ65,286 - ÂŁ72,162 + Excellent benefits
Our Deputy Head Teachers are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference.
You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Alongside the Head Teacher, you’ll set the vision for the future of the school, ensuring we have the right people and plans in place to see that our young people leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.
It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Deputy Head Teacher at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed, from the broader management team, to a range of supporting specialists. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well-resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.
Oversands School is an independent specialist day school providing high quality education, based in Witherslack, Cumbria. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils with a range of complex learning needs, social and emotional difficulties and challenging behaviours.
“Here we know every pupil, their story, how we can help and importantly how they can succeed.” This statement is brought to life through a dedicated lower school designed with input from the pupils; an upper school that offers a broad and impressive range of subjects; and a vocational and post-16 provision that delivers extensive courses and opportunities led by experts in their field.
We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
- Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers have been promoted from within our group
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
- Pension: we offer a range of pensions to suit your lifestyle needs including Teachers’ Pension and our very attractive TPS alternative
- Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
- Medical cover: so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
- A recommend a friend scheme: that offers a ÂŁ1,000 bonus every time
Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Deputy Head Teacher, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:
- You’ll need previous teaching experience and have Qualified Teacher Status
- You’ll also need a minimum of 2 years leadership and management experience
- Your drive to raise the quality of teaching and learning
- Your understanding of what good behaviours for learning look like
- Your effective leadership and coaching skills
- Your knowledge of how best to use your interpersonal skills to develop a strong staff team
Our young people deserve the best possible future and we feel the same about our teams. You deserve to have the career you want, with a purpose-led employer, in an environment that allows you to be yourself.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head Teacher
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Understanding these challenges will not only help you connect better with the students but also demonstrate your commitment to their success during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former staff members at Witherslack Group or similar institutions. They can provide valuable insights into the school culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the vision of the school. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in challenging environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. During interviews or informal chats, share stories of your previous experiences that highlight your dedication to education and personal growth for both students and staff.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head Teacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Deputy Head Teacher. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant teaching experience and leadership roles in your CV. Emphasise your Qualified Teacher Status and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to raise the quality of teaching and learning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. Share examples of how you've contributed to positive changes in previous roles, focusing on those 'huge small victories' mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide concrete examples of your leadership and coaching skills in both your CV and cover letter. Discuss how you've successfully developed strong staff teams and improved educational outcomes in your previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with children, especially those with special educational needs. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, highlighting those 'huge small victories' that resonate with the school's ethos.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your leadership and management experience in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully led a team, improved teaching quality, or implemented effective strategies to support students with diverse needs.
✨Understand the School's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the school's mission and values. During the interview, articulate how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to creating an environment where every pupil feels valued and supported.
✨Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills
Since the role requires strong interpersonal skills, be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships with staff, students, and parents in the past. Share examples of how you've used these skills to foster a positive learning environment and support your team.