Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education

Deputy Headteacher – Quality of Education
Independent Specialist School | Cannock, Staffordshire
Permanent | Full-time
January 2027, or earlier by negotiation

LTE Search is working with an established independent specialist SEND school in Staffordshire to appoint an ambitious Deputy Headteacher to work closely with the Headteacher and wider executive leadership team, with a key focus on driving the Quality of Education across the school.

The school provides specialist education for young people aged 8–13 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, offering a smaller and more personalised environment for pupils whose needs cannot be successfully met in mainstream education.

With national SEND reform placing increasing emphasis on high-quality education, stronger leadership and improved outcomes for vulnerable learners, this is an important appointment. The successful candidate will help strengthen leadership capacity, develop teaching and learning and ensure the school continues to provide an ambitious and appropriate education for its pupils.

The Role

Working closely with the Headteacher and wider executive leadership team, the Deputy Headteacher will take a leading role in Quality of Education, with responsibility for teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment and school improvement.

You will provide visible educational leadership across the school, developing and challenging staff, using assessment and evidence to drive improvement and ensuring that curriculum and teaching continue to meet the needs of pupils across Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.

The role also carries a wider leadership brief, including safeguarding, staff development, school improvement, admissions and referrals, commissioning, stakeholder relationships and regulatory compliance.

The Person

We are looking for an experienced senior educational leader with a strong understanding of SEMH and the needs of younger learners, alongside the leadership experience to drive Quality of Education across a specialist setting.

You will ideally bring:

Proven senior leadership experience within education, with a strong track record in teaching, learning, curriculum and school improvement.
A detailed understanding of SEMH and the educational, behavioural and emotional needs of pupils aged 8–13.
Experience of leading and developing teachers and building leadership capacity.
Strong knowledge of curriculum development, assessment and the use of evidence to improve outcomes.
A thorough understanding of the Ofsted inspection framework, with experience of leading or contributing to inspections.
Strong knowledge of the Independent School Standards (ISS) and the requirements of operating within an independent school environment.
Experience of ISI inspection would be highly desirable.
An understanding of the wider operational and commercial considerations involved in running an independent specialist education setting.
The ability to build strong relationships with parents, local authorities, commissioners and other professionals.
Excellent safeguarding knowledge and a strong commitment to the welfare and progress of vulnerable learners. Above all, we are looking for someone who can combine strong educational leadership with a deep understanding of specialist SEND provision, and who can translate strategic ambition into better teaching, better learning and better outcomes for pupils.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to work closely with the Headteacher and wider leadership team, strengthening leadership capacity and playing a significant role in the continued development of the school's educational provision.

The school offers a competitive package including an enhanced pension scheme, life assurance, funded training and qualifications, enhanced maternity and paternity provision, and a range of employee wellbeing and discount benefits.

If you are an experienced educational leader with a strong understanding of SEMH, curriculum, Quality of Education and the independent school environment, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Online searches will be conducted as part of the safer recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education