Assistant Headteacher

Location: Effingham, Surrey
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract 12 months
Salary: £53,198 - £57,183 per year (L1 – L4 Fringe) Plus £5,000 Welcome bonus For Qualified Teacher*
Hours: 40 hours per week - Start time 8.15am - Finish time Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 4.45pm. Tuesday 5pm and Friday 4pm   
Start date: As soon as possible 

Aurora Poppyfield School

Join our dedicated team at Poppyfield School, where we support students aged 11–16 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) through a nurturing and inclusive approach. We empower our young people to access the national curriculum in a way that works for them and to achieve meaningful vocational qualifications by the time they leave school.

We’re seeking a dedicated Assistant Headteacher to join our school on a 12 month maternity cover fixed term contract, to deliver high quality teaching and learning to our students.

Key Duties:

• To play a key role in the overall smooth running of the school.

• To spend support and develop teaching and learning through coaching, demonstrating and modelling good practice to ensure consistently high standards of ‘quality teaching first’.

• To lead by example, and by positively encouraging, coaching and mentoring and supporting training and development for all members of the team.

• To take lead responsibility for ensuring the best possible curriculum offer, provision, well-being, progress and achievement for all children especially through enrichment, creative learning, extended services, partnerships and collaboration.

• To work with the Head of School to ensure that the school offers a high quality, exciting, engaging, well resourced, differentiated and well matched curriculum for all children.

• To develop positive relationships within the school, within the Surrey Schools and the wider Aurora Team and externally, which support the running and developing of the school towards and sustaining outstanding.

• To act as Exam Officer for the site, working with subject teachers to ensure examinations and accreditation processes are in place and that JCQ requirements are met.

• To lead on Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and work with the wider school team to deliver a Careers Framework that supports KS4 pupils on their pathway to adulthood.

• To lead in a curriculum area, such as Careers, across all Surrey Schools

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Aurora Rowan School when required.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Qualifications 

• QTS or QTLS is essential.

Desirable Qualifications 

• Accredited training in specific areas of special education, e.g. Autism, Dyslexia etc.

• Management/leadership qualification

Essential Experience 

• Proven track record of excellent creative and structured teaching within relevant key stages and/or special needs environment.

• Experience of holding responsibility for and turning policy into effective and successful practice.

• Leadership of a significant area or phase or inclusion, including responsibility for raising standards across the whole school.

• Effective team management and working collaboratively and effectively with others.

• Communicating effectively to a wide range of different audiences though a range of different mediums.

• Successful management of complex scenarios and conflict resolution

• Effective relationships working successfully with a range of external agencies

Benefits and Additional Information

What’s on Offer at Aurora?

We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you.

Grow with Us – Training & Development

Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.

Save Money on Everyday Essentials

With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:

• Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more

• Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme

Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed

Competitive Pay & Reward

We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:

• Enhanced Annual Leave

• Company Sick Pay

• Enhanced Pension

• Life Assurance

24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household

Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.

UK Health Cash Plan

Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!

Employee Assistance Programme

Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:

• Freephone counselling (available 24/7)

• Online tools and resources

Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded!
(*Terms apply)

* Welcome bonus is payable in 2 payments - 50% following successful completion of probation and 50% after one year service 

How to Apply: 

For candidates that haven’t worked in this sector before please be aware that for regulatory reasons the application process is far more detailed and thorough compared to other sectors.

Please complete the online application form in full, including all employment and education details, and provide a personal statement that makes us keen to speak to you.

If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at Liz.Hudson@theauroragroup.co.uk

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search