Job Description

The Opportunity

As we continue to expand and develop our educational provision, we have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Headteacher to join our Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, Headteacher and existing Deputy Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in securing the success and continuous improvement of New Forest School, ensuring a high-quality, inclusive education for all our students.

About the Role

The successful candidates will bring a drive and passion for developing learning and confidently demonstrate their ability to elevate our educational offering. You will play a strong supporting role in propelling the school’s curriculum forward, enabling more of our pupils to thrive and exceed expectations through each stage of their educational journey.

Our Deputy Headteachers will inspire, nurture, develop, and empower our employees. You will lead by example, utilising your resilience, flexibility, and proven track record in supporting strong educational outcomes for students with SEN. By developing consistency in teaching standards, you will facilitate the best possible learning environment for our children.

Our Values

New Forest School intrinsically follows the values of our parent company New Forest Care Ltd. We actively seek professionals who embed and champion the following principles:

• Children First
• Respect
• Fairness
• Dignity
• Excellence
• Teamwork
• Sustainability

Key Responsibilities & Skills

• SEN Expertise: Demonstrate solid experience with, and ambitious expectations for, students with SEN and disabilities.
• Curriculum Leadership: Bring an excellent understanding of the Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculum and learning journey (experience with Key Stage 2 transitions is highly desirable).
• Strategic Improvement: Innovate to enhance the curriculum offer, address social disadvantage, and fully meet the complex needs of pupils with special educational needs.
• Academic & Vocational Focus: Support the delivery of a broad curriculum focused on both academic and vocational qualifications for secondary-aged students.
• Progress Tracking: Drive the quality of learning provision to secure and measure progress for all pupils.
• Staff Empowerment: Exhibit a proven track record of successfully coaching, mentoring, and developing staff, while assisting the SLT in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent.
• Team & Community Collaboration: Work effectively within the SLT and build upon positive relationships across the school, our partnerships, and the wider community.
• Student-Centric Approach: Maintain a deep understanding of working in a school that supports behavioural and emotional needs, consistently putting students first.
• Resilient Leadership: Act as a resilient, solution-focused, inspiring, and purposeful team player with an endorsed record of delivering excellence.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Working towards or have achieved NPQML, NPQSL, NPQH, or an equivalent qualification.
• Successful leadership and management experience within a school environment (minimum of 2 years at the Senior Leadership Level).
• Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development.

Desirable:

• Strong data analysis skills, with the ability to utilize data to set targets, identify weaknesses, and drive interventions.
• Deep understanding of high-quality, evidence-based teaching and the ability to support continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate a clear vision and inspire others.
• Unwavering commitment to securing the best outcomes for all students while promoting the ethos and values of the school.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise workloads efficiently.
• Strict commitment to maintaining confidentiality, safeguarding, and equality, ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways that exploit the position.

What You Can Expect From Us

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive induction programme and regular in-house training.
• Funded professional qualifications to support your continued career growth.
• "Recommend-a-friend" referral scheme.
• Discretionary Manager & Peer rewards (including Amazon vouchers/monetary rewards).
• Company Sick Pay Scheme and Workplace Pension Scheme.
• Access to an Benefit and Reward platform.
• A Wellbeing and Support Service
• Enhanced DBS check covered by the company.

Compliance & Safeguarding New Forest Care is strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including comprehensive employment references and an Enhanced DBS check.

Please note: The company is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers for this role. All successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.