Deputy Headteacher

Brays School is an inclusive, forward-thinking and popular special school for 110 primary-aged pupils with a range of physical, learning and sensory difficulties which are designated PMLD and SLD. The school also has an EYFS provision, which the successful candidate will be expected to lead in support of the class teacher and team.

The school is part of Forward Education Trust (FET), an established and developing MAT of 7 special schools in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. This is an exciting time to join and build on the many strengths and provide the strategic and operational leadership which will deliver on the commitment to ensuring the children receive the best possible education, care and life chances. Working in close conjunction with our recently appointed Headteacher, this is a chance like no other to positively influence the direction of the school and the life chances of our children.

The school, rated as Outstanding in 2020, has high standards of teaching and learning and is a renowned for its creative curriculum. The committed, talented and caring staff team have sought and embraced new ideas and are ambitious to further develop the curriculum, particularly the pre-formal curriculum. The new school leaders will have the opportunity to harness this talent and ambition so that staff have opportunities to flourish and develop and may become the leaders of the future.

FET is working through a period of positive change with plans for future expansion. Central to the Trust’s development will be a commitment to ensuring its schools develop individual personalities, recognising their own particular characteristics and celebrating the many good things that happen day-to-day. Alongside this is a belief that its staff and leaders are its most important asset and valuing them and utilising their many talents will deliver the best experiences for pupils. 

FET has invested in facilities in school including the creative space, light & sound room, soft play area and therapy pool. Investments in technology are planned to unlock and enhance the learning experiences for children through the use of things such as Eyegaze and GoTalk technology. Other capital projects are in motion, in particular a planned refurbishment of the nursery. School is fortunate to have an on-site NHS medical team including physiotherapists and other professionals working to support the needs of our children. We also have a therapy pool, with a full-time swimming coach – this resource is one of the things that makes Brays so special.

The Trust believes its staff and leaders are its most important asset and valuing them and utilising their many talents will deliver the best experiences for pupils. You will be empowered to make decisions and to be creative and must be committed to the trust ethos of moving forward together, striving for and achieving opportunities to improve outcomes and providing stability and success for all. Your professional development will also be a key priority and you will have the support of a network of highly skilled and experienced senior leaders alongside the opportunities that will inevitably present themselves from being part of a developing trust.

The successful candidate will be an exemplary school leader, teacher and role model with experience of working with children with complex medical and physical special needs. PMLD experience is preferred (but not essential) and further interest in the development of working with PMLD children will excite the right candidate. You will be a dynamic, innovative, proactive and motivated leader with vision and energy which will inspire, enthuse and motivate pupils, staff and the wider school community. They must have the ability to initiate and lead change in a positive way which makes a real difference to learning and above all, share the school’s commitment to ensuring the students are safe and happy and achieve their full potential.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate recent, successful and sustained impact as a leader along with significant experience of working with children and young people with a range of special educational needs. You will be empowered to make decisions and to be creative and must be committed to the Trust ethos of moving forward together, striving for and achieving opportunities to improve outcomes and providing stability and success for all. You will have a positive attitude which will inspire, enthuse and motivate pupils, staff and the wider school community. Above all, you will share the school’s commitment to ensuring the students are safe and happy and achieve their full potential.

To find out more about this opportunity please visit: https://webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/forward-education-trust

Visits to the school are encouraged, so that you can understand the character of the school. Contact Jodie Massie at Hays for a confidential discussion or to arrange a visit to the school.

M: 07761446571

E: FET@hays.com

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 9th May 2023 

Employee Value Proposition

• Teacher Pension or Local Government Pension – Employer Contribution

• Employee Questionnaire – regular consultation and engagement

• Improved performance and management – including appraisal and development

• Personal and professional learning and development – including FLICK learning

• Staff recognition – e-cards

• Staff recognition – awards throughout the year and at a conference

• FET HUB – information all in one place

• Salary sacrifice – Cycle to Work Scheme 

• Easy purchase scheme – Smart Tech with Currys (salary deduction)

• Access to discounts from Reward Gateway and MYPerks

• Mental Health First Aiders

• Paid for Health Cash Plan (dependent on children included – can add your spouse/partner at your cost)

• Access to the Thrive App – to support mental health and well being

• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme – free, confidential advice

• Occupational Health Service

• Policies to support positive health and well-being: Family Friendly Working, Special Leave of Absence, Flexible Working, Menopause

There’s more we’d like to do – we encourage and welcome ideas.

A commitment to develop new ideas to show to our staff that they are our most important asset and we really value what every staff colleague does for our children

Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted; we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) or accept them in place of an application form. 

The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date. Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date. 

Forward Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote this ethos. All appointments will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory enhances DBS and pre-employment checks. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Forward Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 

If you do not hear from the Trust within 14 days of returning your application to us, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted.