Assistant Head of School

The Watkin; Wythenshawe; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

First Steps Together is seeking an exceptional Assistant Head of School to join the leadership team. You will help translate the School Improvement Plan into everyday practice across teaching, learning, behaviour and pastoral provision.

You will work alongside the Headteacher and wider leadership team to ensure high standards, inclusive approaches and strong safeguarding. Experience with SEND, SEMH and complex needs is highly valued as is mentoring and staff development.

Qualifications

• Experience of teaching or supporting learning across a wider school context.
• Experience mentoring staff or leading an area of school practice.
• Strong understanding of teaching, learning and assessment strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, positive leadership across the school and support safeguarding and child protection practices.
• Monitor and develop teaching and learning through observations, learning walks and coaching.
• Lead behaviour, attendance and pastoral provision to support pupil outcomes.
• Line manage and support colleagues, contribute to induction, appraisal and professional development.

Skills

Teaching / learning support

Mentoring staff

Leadership

Data-driven improvement

Behaviour management

Education

QTS or equivalent

Job description

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, understood, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools providing nurturing, inclusive and aspirational education for children and young people with a range of additional needs, including SEND, SEMH and complex presentations. Across our schools, strong relationships, individualised support and high expectations are central to helping pupils engage in learning, develop confidence and achieve positive outcomes.

As our Education provision continues to grow, we are looking for an exceptional Assistant Head of School to join our school leadership team.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to make a real difference to the day-to-day quality of education, pupil experience and continued improvement of the school.

Working alongside the Headteacher/Head of School and wider leadership team, you’ll help turn the School Improvement Plan into strong everyday practice supporting teaching and learning, behaviour, attendance, pastoral provision, staff development and the smooth operation of the school.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll provide a visible and positive leadership presence across the school, working closely with staff and pupils to maintain high expectations and ensure our approaches are consistent, inclusive and responsive to individual needs.

You’ll support the monitoring and development of teaching and learning, including learning walks, observations and evaluation activities, providing constructive feedback and coaching to colleagues and helping ensure appropriate strategies are in place for individual pupils.

Alongside this, you’ll play an important role in behaviour, attendance and pastoral practice supporting restorative approaches, helping colleagues implement effective behaviour plans, monitoring engagement and working with pupils and families to remove barriers to attendance and learning.

People leadership will also be an important part of the role. You’ll line manage and support colleagues, contribute to induction, appraisal, coaching and professional development, and help ensure staff are effectively deployed and supported to deliver the best possible outcomes for pupils.

As part of the school leadership team, you’ll contribute to school improvement and quality assurance, work closely with parents, carers and external professionals, and act as a point of contact in the absence of the Headteacher/Head of School to help ensure the school continues to operate safely and effectively.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone who understands education and, most importantly, understands children and young people.

You’ll have experience of teaching or supporting learning, alongside experience of supporting colleagues, mentoring staff or leading an area of school practice. You’ll understand effective teaching, learning and assessment and be confident working with pupils with SEND, SEMH and behavioural needs.

You’ll be comfortable using pupil, attendance, behaviour and performance data to identify priorities and drive improvement, while maintaining a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection practice.

Experience within specialist education, SEND or alternative provision would be particularly valuable, also desirable would be QTS or an equivalent teaching qualification, leadership development and DDSL or advanced safeguarding experience.

We’re looking for someone with integrity, resilience and emotional intelligence; someone who is calm and organised, willing to take responsibility and able to support, challenge and motivate others.

Above all, you’ll be a visible, positive and child-centred leader who shares our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, continuous improvement and achieving positive outcomes for every pupil.

Why First Steps Together?

This is an opportunity to take on a key school leadership role within a growing specialist education organisation.

You’ll work alongside a supportive and collaborative leadership team, with the opportunity to influence school improvement, develop colleagues and directly contribute to better experiences and outcomes for children and young people.

As First Steps Together continues to grow, there will also be opportunities to develop professionally, strengthen your leadership experience and progress within the organisation.

If you are an ambitious education professional ready to take the next step in school leadership and want to help create a school where pupils feel supported, challenged and able to succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your difference. Take your next step with First Steps Together.

Safeguarding

First Steps Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to this role will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS, satisfactory references, online checks and overseas police checks where required.