Assistant Headteacher

Job overview 

Job role:                             Assistant Headteacher  

Reporting to:                   Headteacher  

Annual Salary:             L7-L11

Location:                         Victoria School, Poole, Dorset  

Contract type:               Full time/Permanent  

Start Date:         September 2024 

Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff 

We are seeking to appoint 2 experienced and dynamic leaders.  

Candidates will be passionate about increasing the life sum of our learners with additional learning, medical and complex needs.  

Victoria School is an exciting, innovative and dynamic special school (3-19) for students with physical disabilities and communication needs. Our vision is to be a school where successful learning and high levels of achievement prepare children and young adults for fulfilling future lives. We have outstanding, forward thinking staff who continually develop their practice and work together to make sure all young people have every chance to achieve their potential. 

You will be keen to learn as part of a wider collaborative team and make contributions, working closely with other leaders to enhance the effectiveness of our provisions. 

As an experienced leader, you will have demonstrable examples of the empowering and enabling leadership qualities and attributes you have used to improve quality, and develop staff teams, all with the core focus on those children or adults you have supported to be successful. 

Assistant Head Teacher Person Specification

Essential criteria for Shortlisting 

Professional Development 

• Qualified Teacher Status  
• Good academic achievement, including an appropriate degree  
• Evidence of recent and relevant further professional development in preparation for a leadership role  
• Obtained/working towards a leadership qualification e.g. NPQSL (or commitment to within 2 years) 

Knowledge and Experience 

• Successful leadership and management experience in a SEND school/setting  
• An excellent classroom teacher  
• Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning  
• Line management experience  
• Experience of contributing to staff development 

Personal Qualities 

• A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school  
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively  
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times  
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality  
• Loyalty, integrity and enthusiasm  

Genuine concern for the welfare of staff and pupils 

Skills and Knowledge 

• Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to set targets and identify weaknesses  
• Understanding of high-quality teaching, and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve  
• Understanding of school finances and financial management  
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a vision to inspire others as well as to challenge and motivate others  
• High level of oral, written and ICT skills  
• Able to build and maintain positive relationships with individuals and groups  
• Understanding of current issues in education 

Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding 

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:  

• An ability to promote equal opportunities with respect to race, gender and disability  
• Their commitment and understanding of their role in ensuring children in their care are safe  
• Working knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and commit to attending all safeguarding training  

NB: The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check 

Desirable

• SEND qualification
• Experience of a senior leadership role 
• Safeguarding experience and knowledge 
• Has led a whole school initiative
• Experience of analysing school data 
• Experience of strategic planning

You will also have: 

• a proven track record of outstanding classroom practice 

• a substantial and successful record as a leader, achieving successful outcomes for students 

• drive, determination, and enthusiasm 

• demonstrable qualities and attributes of being open, yet uncompromising in the pursuit of highest quality of education provision.

quality of education provision.

We recognise that to achieve our vision, we also need to be flexible and adaptive to continue to be sustainable and highly effective in the ever-changing educational landscape. We will strive to develop and build on the strengths and expertise of our team. While your skill set will be complimentary to our leadership team, we will look to enhance your impact further through CPD, local and regional networks and through a challenge-partner model, enabling you to use your abilities, skills and expertise for the most impact for the children and adults we support. The precise role and responsibilities of this position will be dependent on the strengths and the skillsets of the applicants.

Interested applicants for this post should be imaginative and dynamic and fully committed to the principles of inclusive education for all, no matter what barriers our children and adults face. Livability positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community in which we work. Livability is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. 

Livability Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and staff, and it is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.