Jobs in Poundgate

Deputy Headteacher

Acre Wood Academy is now looking for an inspiring and adaptable Deputy Headteacher to support the Headteacher on its rapid improvement journey.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

* To assist the Headteacher in providing vision and leadership for the school, creating, maintaining and developing conditions that enable effective learning;

* Implement the aims of the school in accordance with the policies of the Trust so that the school’s mission, vision and values are fulfilled;

* To take full responsibility for leading and managing significant aspects of the school, under the overall direction of the Headteacher.

Our Deputy Headteacher will need:

* Previous involvement in a school improvement journey to be able to support the Headteacher to bring about the rapid raising of standards in teaching and learning for our children.

* Experience of working as a middle/senior leader within a Specialist setting.

* The ability and flexibility to be able to support the Headteacher to drive the school forward while responding to a rapidly changing and complex environment.

* Leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence and gain the commitment of all stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for our children.

We can offer the opportunity to:

* Make a real difference to the lives of our children and their families.

* Develop within a successful multi-academy Trust, working with other experienced senior leaders.

* Work with and be supported by the Headteacher, and senior leadership team in this exciting and challenging role.

* Access CPD opportunities – mandatory training courses via iTrent Learning, continual development including apprenticeships and discount on course fees for courses run by the London South East Colleges.

Conversations and visits are encouraged and are very much welcomed. For full information and to arrange your conversation/visit please contact our school office.

Acre Wood is a specialist school for pupils and students aged 4-19 with a wide range of special education needs, including Profound and Multiple learning Difficulties (PMLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is set across three sites (primary, secondary and sixth form) located closely together in Crowborough, East Sussex.

The school is part of London South East Academies Trust.

Our school benefits from the regular support of Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapy services and Occupational Therapists provided by the Children’s Integrated Therapy and equipment Service (CITEs) within Kent NHS and commissioned by the Local Authority. We also have, as part of our team, a Special Schools Nursing Sister from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust who supports the health and wellbeing of our students.

As a staff team we work to create a place where our pupils and students can learn in a safe, happy and enriching environment, one which promotes independence as well as a sense of fun, curiosity and excitement.

About Us

The College

London South East Colleges (LSEC) is one of London’s largest and most successful further education providers, with seven campuses across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lambeth and around 1,000 staff. Each year, we support more than 13,000 students through a wide portfolio of vocational courses, apprenticeships and other programmes that are closely aligned to employer and industry need.

What brings people to work here, and keeps them here, is the sense of purpose. We exist to change lives through learning, and that ambition runs through everything we do. Our staff work with learners from all backgrounds, many of whom face significant barriers, and play a direct role in improving social mobility and life chances across south east London and beyond.

We are committed to developing our people. This includes high-quality professional development, leadership and management training, and clear opportunities for progression across the College and the wider Group. We encourage colleagues to develop their skills, share expertise and build long-term careers with us, supported by a culture that values collaboration, professionalism and continuous improvement.

We invest heavily in our learning environments, with modern facilities and strong partnerships with employers, universities and local communities. This enables our staff to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality education and training that equips learners with the skills, confidence and resilience to succeed in work and in life.

LSEC is part of the Elevare Civic Education Group, which also sponsors London South East Academies Trust. The Trust is a growing and successful Multi-Academy Trust, currently comprising mainstream, special and alternative provision schools across Bromley, Bexley, Surrey, Sussex and Lambeth. This gives colleagues the opportunity to work within a genuinely joined-up education system, spanning schools, colleges and higher education.

The Group has also recently established the Elevare Education Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and families across the region through targeted programmes and practical support. This reflects our wider civic mission and commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond our campuses.

With a combined turnover of around £130m and clear ambitions for growth and improvement, this is an organisation that is forward-looking, values expertise and encourages people to contribute ideas and shape the future. There has rarely been a more interesting time to join us.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including excellent annual leave and a generous pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme depending on role.

Additional benefits include:

* Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

* Cycle to work scheme

* Annual season ticket loan

* Access to the Discounts for Teachers portal

* Free Wi-Fi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide through Eduroam

* Access to our on-site gym at Bromley campus and discount at other local gyms

* Discounts in our in-house restaurants and on hair and beauty treatments

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates to assess suitability for working with children and young people. Our full Safeguarding policy can be found here.

Because we work with children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to disclose relevant information or provide a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. Our DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request.

All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment