Deputy Headteacher

This is an exciting opportunity to be the sole Deputy Headteacher joining our brand-new special school, part of the Unity Schools Partnership multi-academy trust, which opens in September 2023. You will have the chance to join the founding team of the school, contributing to shaping provision to transform the lives of generations of children: you will make the difference.

As part of the Unity Schools Partnership multi-academy trust, the school will be part of a collaborative, forward thinking group of 32 schools.

We are looking to appoint an outstanding Deputy Headteacher, who will play a central role in shaping the ethos and culture of this specialist provision for 7-16 year olds with social, emotional and mental health needs in Havering. You will have a passion for SEN and a creative, innovative approach to delivering excellence for all. We are looking for candidates with the motivation and determination to ensure that students make progress, improve their experience of education and prepare them to lead a fulfilling life.

Romford Special School will educate young people between the ages of 7-16 who have a wide range of Social Emotional and Mental Health needs. Many of the pupils may also be on the Autistic Spectrum. The school serves a catchment area that covers Havering and surrounding areas of East London (Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham). The school will also be adding to our network of special schools, alongside Sir Bobby Robson School, Ipswich, The Bridge School, Ipswich, Churchill Special School, Haverhill and Sir Peter Hall School, Bury St Edmund’s, which was established by the Headteacher Designate, Catharine Wensley.

You will have a comprehensive understanding of curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment and whole school reading. You will need to be flexible, determined and passionate about providing the best outcomes for pupils, as well as being confident managing challenging behaviours and supporting our relational and restorative approaches.

Alongside the skills to lead, monitor and evaluate the improvement of learning and teaching across all phases of the school, you will require the skills and thorough understanding to lead on all aspects of highly effective safeguarding across the school and beyond, contributing to a focused, safe and inclusive learning environment. In addition, you will have a track record of working successfully with parents, carers and external agencies to support the EHCP process and evaluate and monitor outcomes. You will have excellent communication skills to support all stakeholders of the school alongside a strategic yet flexible approach to school leadership.

You will be supported in your role by the Headteacher and the Trust Directors of Special Educational Needs as well as the wider Trust Leadership Team, who will be available to offer advice and guidance as the school moves forward. Significant training and development are available through opportunities for professional development, research, teacher training and collaboration between schools and across phases.

For more information, to arrange a meeting or an informal discussion about the role please contact the Headteacher, Catharine Wensley by email headteacher@unityromfordspecial.org 

Closing Date: 09:00am, Thursday 3rd February  2023

Interviews: Tuesday 7th February 2023

To apply, please visit https://candidate.unitysp-careers.co.uk/195440TES

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

In line with safer recruitment, we are unable to accept CVs. Failure to complete an application form satisfactorily may result in not being shortlisted for the post.

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safer recruitment, equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

We care deeply about inclusive working practices and diverse teams. If you’d prefer to work part-time or as a job-share, we’ll facilitate this wherever we can – whether to help you meet other commitments or to help you strike a great work-life balance. We’re keen to ensure we’re designing an organisation that works for everyone, so we particularly encourage applications from different under-represented groups.

Unity Schools Partnership, welcoming diversity.