Deputy Head of College

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We operate vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

Orchard Hill College is seeking an inspirational and dynamic Deputy Head of College to provide exceptional leadership across our Hillingdon Region. With a proven track record in educational leadership, ideally within SEND, you will work closely with the Executive Principal and Senior Leadership Team to set the strategic direction of the College, sustaining outstanding provision while driving innovation and development. You will lead high-needs programmes, adult education pathways, and our Project Search Supported Internships, working collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure learners receive high-quality, impactful opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader committed to excellence in inclusive education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a high-quality educational environment for students with complex special educational needs and disabilities including Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Moderate Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
• Ensure the region sustains its outstanding Ofsted rating.
• Take strategic leadership of safeguarding of young adults.
• Ensure that the college centres meets their statutory duties as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice.
• Keep abreast of developments within education and the special sector at local, national and international level.
• Represent the College on local authority, commissioning groups and other stakeholder forums such as the Hillingdon’s Project Search steering group.
• Lead on the Management and control of risks.

Key Requirements

• Diploma in Education & Training or equivalent and QTS/QTLS or equivalent.
• Proven ability to lead on and model exemplary teaching practice and develop high quality coaching and training across centres.
• Significant experience, knowledge and delivery of the education and training for students with a wide range of complex SEND.
• Experience of assessment methods and evidencing learning outcomes.
• Proven ability to demonstrate and lead outstanding classroom practice, including innovative curriculum development.
• Evidence of successful experience as a senior leader in one or more settings, especially specialist settings.
• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current statutory and compliance matters and regional and local landscapes, policy and legislation. Ability to interpret and advise effectively.

Orchard Hill College is an exciting, forward‑thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme).
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme.
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more).
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme).

The College is an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 13 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our vacancies page.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential. As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHC and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the college directly. Visits to the College in advance of applications are encouraged.

To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.

Closing Date: 16th January 2026

Interviews will take place on: 26th January 2026

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.