About the School

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Whitstable is an independent specialist provision serving children and young people (CYP) in Kent and Medway who live with their families, foster parents or in residential children’s homes. Our school supports CYP with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We provide high-quality education, adopting a holistic and tailored approach, complemented by a range of support services for each and every one of our children. To find out more about our school, please visit our website.

About Us

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Whitstable provides specialist education for Key Stage 2 children aged 7–11 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH), as well as communication and interaction, cognition and learning needs. This is a small provision with a maximum of 24 children with complex needs who often present with challenging behaviours. We offer a safe and nurturing environment, with well-trained, supportive staff. Combined with our therapeutic approach, this enables our children to develop the tools and skills they need to achieve their potential. We are part of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and have been passionately improving the lives of children for over 30 years. Within the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], we now have over 15 SEN schools across the UK, all working together to provide each child with a tailored, diverse and appropriate education in a safe and supportive environment that promotes engagement, inspires learning and encourages achievement. We are incredibly proud that 100% of our inspected services are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

The Role

We are seeking a caring and forward-thinking leader to join our team as Deputy Headteacher with curriculum responsibility.

• Ensure high-quality teaching and learning across the school, with a focus on inclusion and differentiated instruction for SEND students
• Assess, monitor, record and report on the learning needs, progress and achievements of pupils, working alongside the SENCo
• Take a lead on whole-school strategic planning and the continued development of the curriculum
• Provide curriculum training for staff during training sessions and INSET, valuing your own and others’ CPD
• Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence
• Line manage a range of new and existing staff, including recruitment and onboarding
• Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the school’s policies, practices and procedures
• Work with others on curriculum and/or children’s development to secure co-ordinated outcomes
• Promote a therapeutic approach to behaviour and emotional wellbeing
• Collaborate with staff, parents and external professionals to ensure the best outcomes for children
• Manage and support staff teams, fostering a culture of cooperation, flexibility and continuous improvement
• Work closely with other leaders within the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] to share best practice and ensure alignment with our ethos
• Act as a DSL and oversee the safeguarding team

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with experience in SEND
• Experience of delivering a high-quality curriculum with a focus on supporting young people with SEND
• Experience of leading and managing teams with a compassionate and therapeutic approach
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work inclusively with staff, students and families
• A proactive and adaptable attitude, able to develop systems and processes aligned with the school’s values and ethos

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to shape curriculum development and SEND provision
• A supportive and collaborative leadership team
• Professional development opportunities within the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
• An opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children with complex needs