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- Tasks: Lead a department, ensuring high standards of teaching and care for pupils with complex needs.
- Company: Chailey Heritage School, dedicated to supporting children with physical and cognitive challenges.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and healthcare cash plan.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong teaching experience, leadership skills, and a commitment to inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48785 - 53200 £ per year.
Location: Lewes
Salary: in line with Leadership Scale L5 - L8
Vacancy Type: Full Time / Permanent
We’re seeking an experienced and motivated leader to join Chailey Heritage School as an Assistant Headteacher. This is an opportunity to take on a significant leadership role within a specialist setting, supporting the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher to lead and develop a high-performing department. You will have direct line management responsibility for a team of teachers and, through them, Lead Education Assistants and Specialist/Education Assistants, ensuring high-quality teaching, care and outcomes for pupils with complex needs.
At Chailey Heritage School, we support children and young people with physical disabilities, complex communication needs, and a wide range of medical, sensory and cognitive needs. Our work is highly collaborative, with education, care and therapy teams working closely together to support each pupil’s development, independence and wellbeing.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a school department, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning and care
- Support and develop teachers to deliver consistent, high-quality practice
- Translate whole-school priorities into clear departmental plans and improvement activity
- Monitor pupil progress and provision, using evidence to inform improvement
- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, parents and external professionals
- Contribute to whole-school leadership, culture and continuous improvement
You will also maintain a teaching commitment, alongside dedicated non-contact time to deliver your leadership responsibilities.
Qualifications
- Experience as a strong and effective teacher, with a good understanding of SEND
- Leadership experience beyond the classroom, including supporting and developing colleagues
- The ability to lead, influence and support others to improve the quality and consistency of practice
- Confidence in holding high expectations and supporting colleagues to achieve them
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
- A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective working relationships
- A clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people with complex needs
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Healthcare Cash Plan
Assistant Headteacher employer: Chailey Heritage Foundation
Contact Detail:
Chailey Heritage Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Headteacher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Chailey Heritage School on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the school culture and what they really value in an Assistant Headteacher.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how you can showcase your leadership experience. We want to hear about specific examples where you've supported teachers or improved outcomes for students with complex needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your collaborative skills! In your discussions, emphasise how you’ve worked with multidisciplinary teams before. It’s all about showing that you can build effective relationships to support pupils’ development.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Headteacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for teaching and supporting students with complex needs shine through. We want to see how your experiences align with our mission at Chailey Heritage School.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Make sure to detail your leadership roles and how you've supported and developed colleagues in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team, so share specific examples of your impact.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Assistant Headteacher role. We appreciate when candidates show they’ve done their homework about us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chailey Heritage Foundation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the school’s ethos. Familiarise yourself with Chailey Heritage School's approach to supporting pupils with complex needs, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and developing colleagues. Think about times when you’ve successfully led a project or improved teaching practices, as these stories will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Since the role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in the past. Share specific instances where teamwork led to positive outcomes for students, demonstrating your ability to build effective relationships.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the challenges it entails. Inquire about the school’s strategies for continuous improvement or how they measure success in supporting pupils with complex needs, showing that you’re proactive and engaged.