Deputy Head Teacher

Job Description:

Sutherland House School are looking to appoint a passionate and committed Deputy Headteacher to join our senior leadership team. We are a non-maintained SEND school in the heart of the creative quarter in the city centre of Nottingham, we teach autistic children and young people aged between 3 years and 19-year-olds, this is a real opportunity to make a difference for the children we teach. We use positive behaviour support and person-centred approaches, these are of paramount importance, and you will be able to contribute to the continued strategic and operational development of this.

As the Deputy Head Teacher and member of the School Senior Leadership Team, you will work with the Head Teacher to inspire, motivate, lead, and manage the infrastructure, environment, and resources of Sutherland House School.

You will support the Head Teacher in the translation of Autism East Midlands and Sutherland House School vision into clear objectives that promote and sustain measurable school development. You will communicate a shared vision, and ethos in support of the delivery of a strategic plan which reflects the needs of the school as part of Autism East Midlands wider context.

As Deputy Head Teacher you will share responsibility with the Head Teacher for ensuring that the school continuously improves for the benefit of its pupils and their community. You will have responsibility for the delivery of a defined area of the School Development Plan as well and supporting all other areas of school development.

The successful candidate will draw up, maintain and implement the school improvement plan. You will keep abreast of national changes in education and in particular SEND policies. You will monitor and evaluate the content and effectiveness of the school, in partnership with the Head Teacher.

You will develop a structured programme of activities to enable a continuous process of monitoring, evaluation and review of classroom practice and promoting improvement strategies, challenging under performance, and ensuring corrective action.

School Leadership responsibilities:

• You will support the Head Teacher in the management of an organisational structure which reflect the school’s values, and which enables management systems, structures and processes to work effectively in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• You will ensure that the school and its resources are organised and managed to provide an efficient, effective and safe learning environment.
• You will support the recruitment, induction and retention of new staff supporting the deployment of staff appropriately in conjunction with HR.

Developing Self and Others:

• You will support the development of a collaborative learning culture within the school and actively engage with other schools to build and maintain effective learning communities and partnerships.
• Ensure effective planning, co-ordination, support and evaluation, ensuring clear delegation of tasks and devolution of responsibilities through the management tiers.
• As a senior school leader, you will act as a role model for the highest professional standards and behaviours. You will set high expectations for all staff and address underperformance in a timely manner in accordance with HR policy and procedure.
• You will regularly self-evaluate, set personal targets and take responsibility for own personal professional development.

Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children:

• As Deputy Head Teacher, you will be a deputy designated safeguarding lead, responsible for safeguarding with the safeguarding team at Sutherland House School. This includes acting as the central point of contact for multi-agency referrals, liaising with parents, carers, social services, social workers and virtual school heads.
• Deliver training to staff employed within the school about their individual safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ensure the welfare of children is safeguarded and promoted in line with current best practice and LA advice.
• Support the development and introduction of policies and practices that minimise opportunities for abuse and ensure its prompt reporting.

We offer small class groups, high staffing ratios and excellent opportunities for training and continued professional development.

Previous experience with autistic children and young people or teaching in an additional needs environment at any age is desirable but full training and support will be given.

Please be aware, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who have restricted hours, and we are unable offer sponsorships.

What we offer:

• Extensive induction with autism specialist training
• Paid job-related qualifications during employment
• Free initial DBS Check
• Employer pension scheme
• Friendly and supportive work environment
• Refer a friend scheme worth £500
• Access to the Blue Light Card scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid maternity/ paternity/ adoption leave.

We reserve the right to close the advert once sufficient applications have been received, therefore, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Autism East Midlands is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from anyone interested in working with people with autism. We are also a Disability Confident Employer. If you meet the person specification criteria and are eligible for the Disability Confident scheme, we will guarantee you an interview – just let us know in your covering letter or in your email when you send us your application form.

Either way don’t forget to tell us if you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme.

Autism East Midlands is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. If you’re a successful applicant you will need an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, this cost will be met by Autism East Midlands. The successful applicant will need to sign up to the annual DBS Update Service at a current cost of £13 per year

We require evidence to show your Right to Work in the UK (if applicable).

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