Deputy Head of Education and Learning - Farm based SEN provision
Elysian Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning
Surrey
- Expired
- Salary:
- £41,333 - £48,870 a year
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 9 March 2025
Job overview
Deputy Head of Education – Join Our Growing Team at Elysian!
Are you passionate about getting it right for young people? Do you have a QTS (essential) and experience in teaching and leading cross-curricular activities? Are you inspired by the way animals can support learning and personal development?
At Elysian, we are not just an education provider—we are a therapeutic learning organisation that believes in creativity, innovation, and providing meaningful opportunities for children and young people. Due to expansion, we are recruiting Deputy Heads of Education for more than one site, including Liss and Froxfield (a new and exciting development for Elysian).
This is a leadership role, providing a unique opportunity to oversee curriculum development and implementation while working closely with a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team. You will be responsible for designing and delivering a bespoke, adaptive, and engaging curriculum that meets the diverse needs of our young people with SEN and SEMH.
Why Join Elysian?
- A leadership role with real influence over curriculum design and education strategy.
- The opportunity to work across multiple sites, helping to shape Elysian’s evolving provisions.
- A creative, flexible, and hands-on role in a fast-moving environment where no two days are the same.
- The chance to work with passionate teams in a setting that blends education, therapy, and outdoor learning.
- Future progression opportunities, including pathways towards Headship in expanding Elysian provisions.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Curriculum Leadership – Co-designing and overseeing an innovative therapeutic curriculum, incorporating cross-curricular learning, animal-assisted interventions, and personalised education pathways.
- Quality Assurance & Development – Ensuring high standards of teaching and learning, working with teams to create progression pathways, accreditation options, and clear learning outcomes.
- Staff Mentoring & CPD – Supporting and developing teaching staff, TAs, and wider team members, ensuring a culture of ongoing learning and professional development.
- Compliance & Regulation – Helping to maintain and exceed Independent School Regulations, ensuring all policies and safeguarding procedures are upheld.
- Data & Targeted Interventions – Using data-driven insights to ensure students make progress, particularly those with additional learning needs.
- Collaboration & Leadership – Working closely with the Head of Education and Learning, deputising when required, and helping shape the strategic vision of Elysian’s education offer.
- Hands-On Support – Getting involved in all aspects of the day programme, ensuring learning is embedded across activities, and that staff and students are fully supported in achieving their goals.
Who We’re Looking For
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – with experience of teaching and leading within SEN, SEMH, or alternative education settings.
- A resilient, adaptable, and tenacious leader who is passionate about working with children and young people with complex needs.
- A proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-moving and evolving environment.
- Someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves—this role is hands-on, and every day brings new challenges and opportunities.
- A strong communicator and mentor who can engage, inspire, and support both young people and staff teams.
- A leader who understands compliance, safeguarding, and the requirements of independent education settings.
Why This Role?
- A leadership opportunity within a growing and ambitious organisation.
- The chance to work outdoors, with animals, and in a hands-on therapeutic learning environment.
- Opportunities for career progression, including future Headship roles as Elysian continues to expand.
- A supportive team culture where everyone works together to make a real difference in young people’s lives.
We are shortlisting weekly!
Apply now to join us in shaping the future of therapeutic education at Elysian.
ELYSIAN IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. ALL ROLES WITH ELYSIAN ARE SUBJECT TO SAFEGUARDING SCRUTINY, INCLUDING REFERENCES AND DBS CHECKS, PRIOR TO COMMENCING EMPLOYMENT.
➡Find out more about our organisation www.elysianuk.org
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £41,333.00-£48,870.00 per year
Benefits:
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Experience:
- Independent Education Leadership: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- QTS (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
About Elysian Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning
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- Elysian Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning
- Westland Farm, Lordshill Common, Shamley Green, Guildford
- Surrey
- GU5 0TL
- United Kingdom
Elysian is a pioneering Independent Special Educational Needs (SEN) School and Therapeutic services provider, offering a holistic, nurturing, and innovative approach to supporting children, young people, and adults with a wide range of needs. Our farm-based provisions integrate education, therapy, alternative provision, and animal-assisted interventions (AAI) to create an engaging, supportive, and impactful environment for learning, growth, and development.
Who We Are
At Elysian, we believe in creating opportunities for every individual to thrive, particularly those who have struggled in mainstream settings due to anxiety, ASD, ADHD, school phobia, trauma, social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges, and other developmental difficulties.
Our provisions are registered Independent Secondary SEN Schools, with a focus on specialist, therapeutic, and outdoor learningapproaches tailored to individual needs. We provide full-time education placements for ages 11-17, alongside therapeutic programmes, alternative provision, and outreach services.
We operate across multiple sites in Surrey and Hampshire, each offering education, therapy, and farm-based learning experiences:
- Shamley Green (Westland Farm, Surrey) – Independent Registered Secondary SEN School
- Registered for up to 50 pupils aged 11-17
- Specialising in alternative learning environments, therapeutic education, and animal-assisted learning
- Offers full-time and part-time educational placements, alongside outreach and therapy programmes
- West Horsley (Hillside, Surrey) – Independent Registered Secondary SEN School
- Registered for up to 50 pupils aged 11-17
- Focuses on individualised learning, core curriculum subjects, and therapeutic interventions
- Includes animal-assisted therapy, outdoor education, and vocational learning opportunities
- Liss (Janche Stables, Hampshire) – Independent Registered Secondary SEN School
- Registered for up to 45 pupils aged 11-17
- Provides a flexible, structured curriculum combined with therapy and alternative learning pathways
- Focuses on transition support, employability skills, and personal development
- Froxfield (Staple Ash Farm, Hampshire) – A developing AP provision
- Supports education, outreach, training, and community engagement
- Expanding to enhance therapeutic learning and vocational opportunities
What We Do
Elysian provides a wide range of education and therapeutic services, ensuring that young people receive the individualised support they need to succeed. Our core services include:
- Independent SEN Education (Registered Schools)
- Full-time and part-time education placements for young people aged 11-17
- A broad and engaging curriculum, integrating core subjects, vocational learning, and outdoor education
- Small group and 1:1 teaching approaches tailored to each learner’s needs
- A multi-disciplinary team including teachers, therapists, and intervention specialists
- Alternative Provision & Outreach
- Blended learning packages and flexible educational programmes for learners unable to access mainstream schooling
- Outreach support across Surrey and Hampshire, working with local authorities and commissioning partners
- Therapy & Therapeutic Programmes
- On-site Occupational Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Play Therapy, and Counselling
- Therapeutic group sessions, intervention programmes, and 1:1 support
- A strong focus on emotional regulation, confidence-building, and social skills development
- Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
- Working with horses, dogs, reptiles, and small animals to facilitate therapeutic and educational engagement
- Supporting young people with anxiety, trauma, and social-emotional difficulties through structured activities
- Further and Adult Education
- Professional training and qualifications in animal-assisted interventions, SEND education, and trauma-informed approaches
- Events, Training, and Community Engagement
- Regular workshops, CPD training, and networking opportunities
- School visits, open days, and community projects
Our Team & Ethos
At Elysian, we value passion, commitment, and a genuine desire to support young people. Our team includes:
- Teachers and education staff who bring creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to making learning meaningful for every child.
- Therapists and intervention specialists who use innovative, evidence-based methods to support emotional well-being and personal growth.
- Equine and animal specialists who facilitate therapeutic and educational interactions with our animals.
- Operational and support staff who ensure the smooth running of our provisions and help maintain a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment.
All of our staff work within a trauma-informed, child-centred framework, recognising that relationships, trust, and consistency are key to learning and development. We embrace a non-traditional, flexible approach, ensuring that young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to progress in their education and personal growth.
Why Work With Us?
Joining Elysian means becoming part of an innovative, dynamic, and passionate team that is changing lives every day. We offer:
- A unique and rewarding work environment – Our farm-based and outdoor learning settings create a positive and engaging space to work.
- Professional development and training – We provide ongoing training in trauma-informed practice, SEND education, animal-assisted interventions, and therapeutic approaches.
- Opportunities for career progression – As Elysian continues to grow, we are committed to developing and promoting staff into leadership and specialist roles.
- A strong, supportive team culture – We value teamwork, creativity, and a shared commitment to supporting young people in achieving their full potential.
Join Our Team
We are always looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our team in a range of roles. Due to expansion we are frequently recruiting a wide range of roles, including:
- Teachers & Education Leaders (QTS & non-QTS roles available)
- Therapeutic & Support Staff (Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Intervention Specialists)
- Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialists (Equine Leads, Farm Workers, and Animal Therapists)
- Strategic Leadership & Operations (Deputy Heads, Managers)
- Communications & Business Development (Marketing, Events, and Outreach roles)
For more information about us:
🌍 www.elysianuk.org/work-with-us/
For recruitment enquiries, email:
📧 recruit@elysianuk.org
For training and development opportunities, visit:
🌍 www.elysiandevelopment.org
📧 courses@elysianuk.org
We look forward to welcoming like-minded, passionate professionals to Elysian – a place where education, therapy, and nature come together to create transformative learning experiences for young people.
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