Assistant Headteacher/Head of School in Halifax

This role is due to commence in January 2027. 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 are lots of ups and downs, and for 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 will be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Alongside the Head Teacher, you will 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 have achieved. As a Deputy Head Teacher at Witherslack Group, you will 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 will be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

Millcourt School is an independent specialist day school based in Shelf, Yorkshire, providing high-quality education for pupils with social communication difficulties, including those with autism and its associated needs. Many pupils may also experience challenges with emotional regulation, sensory processing, anxiety, and behaviours that arise from difficulties with communication, understanding, and social interaction. Housed within a beautifully refurbished historic mill building, the school offers a thriving, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where every pupil is valued as an individual. Many of our pupils have experienced difficulties in previous educational settings and may have had disrupted educational journeys. At Millcourt, they become part of a community that understands their needs, celebrates their strengths, and provides the specialist support necessary for them to flourish.

We are committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging, achievement, and success, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, respected, and included. Through high expectations, positive relationships, and personalised support, we help pupils develop the confidence, communication skills, and independence needed to thrive in school and beyond. Our aim is to nurture respectful, resilient, and responsible young people who are equipped to overcome challenges, build meaningful relationships, and make a positive contribution to their communities.

For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you will get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people plus you will get:

• Training: A full induction and on-the-job training
• Holiday: You will work hard at WG, so you will 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 optician's or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
• Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
• Recommend a friend scheme: that offers a £1,000 bonus every time

Our young people come from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of needs. Our workforce reflects that diversity, enabling our teams to engage, encourage, and inspire every young person to be themselves. You'll be more than a Deputy Head Teacher; you'll be a compassionate, creative, and inspiring leader who is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil.

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and previous teaching experience.
• Significant Senior Leadership Team (SLT) experience, ideally at Assistant Headteacher level or above.
• Significant experience working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Ideally, experience working across both primary and secondary phases within a whole-school setting.
• A minimum of two years' leadership and management experience.
• A strong focus on achieving positive outcomes for young people, recognising success goes far beyond academic achievement.
• A creative and flexible approach to teaching, learning, and school leadership, with the ability to adapt to meet individual needs.
• A passion for raising the quality of teaching and learning across the school.
• Effective leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills, with the ability to inspire and develop others.

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference, especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community. By building a diverse and inclusive team, we are better able to support the children, young people, and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

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.