Deputy Head of High Needs & SEND - Quarry Hill in Leeds

About The Role

Leeds City College are recruiting for a Deputy Head of High Needs and SEND to join our team at Quarry Hill.

As Deputy Head of High Needs & SEND, the post holder will hold operational leadership for all High Needs and SEND provision across the Quarry Hill Directorate.

They will ensure the directorate fully implements the SEND Code of Practice and meets all legal and statutory requirements for High Needs & SEND students.

Based at Quarry Hill, they will lead all aspects of departmental delivery, fostering an outward‑looking and collaborative culture.

A core focus of this role is working in close partnership with colleagues across Leeds City College and the wider Luminate Education Group to align strategies, maintain consistency, and champion high‑quality provision across the organisation.

They will drive and embed practices that deliver an outstanding experience for SEND students at Quarry Hill, ensuring that all directorate learners and apprentices with SEND receive a premium learning experience with outcomes comparable to, or exceeding, those of their peers.

What You Will Do

• Lead the development, delivery, and maintenance of outstanding High Needs & SEND provision at the Quarry Hill Directorate, prioritising the student experience and securing positive outcomes and successful transitions.
• Work with internal stakeholders to fully embed the SEND agenda, fostering an inclusive, aspirational, and outstanding environment for students and staff.
• Develop and lead directorate‑specific strategies and projects.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to secure excellent progression outcomes for Quarry Hill SEND students, including preparation for adult life, supported internships, apprenticeships, further learning and higher education.
• Provide direct line management to designated directorate staff and high‑quality leadership to cross‑functional teams.

About You

• English and Mathematics at Level 2 or above and a willingness to improve in one or both disciplines to level 3 or above.
• Professional level 4 qualification and/or degree.
• Relevant recognised professional attainments.
• Thorough and up‑to‑date knowledge of Government policy in relation to SEND and education and skills, including its funding and curriculum/qualification reform.
• Proven experience managing and leading staff in an educational setting.
• Proven experience managing and utilising data to inform quality improvement, including planning, monitoring and reviewing.
• Experience of working positively with young people and adults.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 44 days plus bank holidays for curriculum and management roles, 39 days plus bank holidays for curriculum support and business support roles.
• Pension schemes with generous employer contributions: Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, People’s Pension Scheme.
• CPD opportunities: annual staff conference plus two additional staff development days.
• Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives: family‑friendly policies, discounted onsite spa and gym.
• Travel and commuting: discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities: speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities, which differ between roles.

About Us

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally.

We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life‑changing.

Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does.

We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff.

You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow.

We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.

Safeguarding

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students.

We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre‑employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references.

Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection with children.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values.

We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect and equity.

Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias and promote a diverse talent pool.

To find out more about our commitment to EDI, please read the following information.

Recruitment Agencies

We do not accept unsolicited CVs and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.

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