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- Tasks: Lead the development of an innovative, autism-informed curriculum for diverse learners.
- Company: Join Poplar House School, a supportive therapeutic environment for students aged 11-18.
- Benefits: Permanent full-time position with opportunities for professional growth and impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of students with unique needs and backgrounds.
- Qualifications: Qualified teacher status and significant leadership experience in SEN settings required.
- Other info: Be part of a calm, child-centred school culture that champions neurodiversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Poplar House School (part of Blazing Stars Education) is a small independent therapeutic school catering for 24 pupils, aged 11-18, providing full-time education in a therapeutic environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the design, implementation, and ongoing development of a bespoke, autism-informed curriculum aligned with SEND Code of Practice, Independent School Standards, Ofsted framework and EHCP outcomes.
- Ensuring the curriculum meets the needs of pupils with a wide range of cognitive, sensory, communication, and emotional profiles.
- Overseeing curriculum pathways (e.g. semi-formal, formal, pre-formal, vocational or life skills where appropriate).
- Ensuring effective use of evidence-based autism and SEND pedagogy.
- Act as the key strategic and operational link between teaching staff and the clinical/therapy team (e.g. SALT, OT, psychology, therapy staff).
- Ensuring therapeutic targets are meaningfully embedded into classroom practice.
- Leading joint planning systems between teachers and therapists.
- Working collaboratively with the AHT to ensure EHCP outcomes are clearly translated into curriculum and classroom practice and tracked and reviewed effectively.
- Contributing to whole-school strategic planning.
- Championing a school culture that is calm, consistent, neurodiversity-affirming, child-centred and trauma-informed.
Skills and Experience
- Qualified teacher status (QTS).
- Experience at DHT level or above.
- Significant leadership experience in SEN/specialist provision and autism specialist settings.
- Strong understanding of autism, sensory processing, communication needs, regulation and emotional development.
- Proven experience of curriculum leadership, improving quality of teaching and learning, and working with or alongside clinical/therapy teams.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong strategic and organisational skills.
- NPQSL/NPQH or equivalent (desirable).
- Evidence-based autism approaches (e.g. TEACCH, SCERTS, PBS, etc.).
Contract and Hours: Permanent, Full Time.
Location: 24-26 St Annes Road East, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 1UR.
Closing date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Integrated Practice in Burnley employer: Point 13 Jobs
Contact Detail:
Point 13 Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Integrated Practice in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with SEND and autism-informed practices. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your curriculum leadership experience and any innovative strategies you've implemented. This will help you stand out during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your responses, especially around your understanding of autism and SEND pedagogy. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Integrated Practice in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description, like 'autism-informed curriculum' and 'SEND Code of Practice', to show we’re on the same page.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership experience shine through! Share specific examples of how you've led curriculum development or worked with clinical teams. This will help us understand your approach to fostering a collaborative environment.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills. Avoid fluff – we want to know what makes you the best fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Point 13 Jobs
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the bespoke, autism-informed curriculum that Poplar House School is implementing. Familiarise yourself with the SEND Code of Practice and how it aligns with the Independent School Standards. This will show your commitment to meeting the diverse needs of pupils.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles, especially in SEN or autism specialist settings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved teaching quality and collaborated with clinical teams. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in this role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with both teaching staff and therapy teams. Discuss any joint planning systems you’ve implemented in the past and how they benefited students. This is crucial for ensuring therapeutic targets are embedded into classroom practice.
✨Champion a Positive School Culture
Be prepared to talk about how you would contribute to a calm, consistent, and child-centred school culture. Share your thoughts on neurodiversity and trauma-informed practices, as these are key aspects of the school's ethos. Showing your alignment with their values will set you apart.
