Assistant Headteacher at Oak Tree School

Oak Tree School; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PensionScheme

Annual Leave

ME Day

Professional Development

Hybrid Working

Perkbox

Wellbeing & Health

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aid

Job summary

Oak Tree School is seeking an Assistant Headteacher to provide operational leadership and support day-to-day running across the school. You will work under the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers to translate priorities into effective practice, leading systems that secure high standards in education, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.

You will be a visible leader, modelling pastoral practice and professional standards while collaborating with pupils, families and external

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status or recognised teaching qualification.
• Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience within a school setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of the school, including staffing deployment, policies and routines, and maintain a visible leadership presence.
• Lead operational systems covering behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, educational visits, transport, health and safety, site coordination and incident management.
• Ensure operational systems support pupils with SEND, working with families, therapists and external agencies.
• Line manage designated colleagues and teams, supporting recruitment, induction, coaching and professional development.
• Monitor safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, health and safety and other compliance systems.
• Lead operational audits and contribute to inspection readiness.
• Support school self-evaluation and the implementation of school improvement priorities.
• Support efficient management of school resources and contribute to smooth running and good order.
• Develop and maintain relationships with parents, carers, external agencies and Ofsted where appropriate.
• Deputise for senior leaders and contribute to assemblies, school events and wider improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Safeguarding

Communication

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Motivation

Flexibility

Equality & Inclusion

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

About this Role

We are seeking an Assistant Headteacher to provideoperational leadership across Oak Tree School and support the effectiveday-to-day running of all aspects of the provision.

Working under the strategic direction of the Headteacher andDeputy Headteachers, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, translating school priorities into effective operational practice. You will lead and support systems and procedures that secure high standards ofeducation, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.

You will be a visible and approachable leader who modelsexemplary pastoral practice, assertive behaviour management and highprofessional standards. You will work closely with pupils, families, colleaguesand external professionals to promote inclusion, belonging, independence andhigh aspirations for every pupil.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of the school, including staffing deployment, implementation of school policies and routines and maintaining a visible leadership presence.
• Lead operational systems covering behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, educational visits, transport, health and safety, site coordination and incident management.
• Ensure operational systems effectively support pupils with SEND, working closely with families, therapists and external agencies to secure appropriate provision.
• Line manage designated colleagues and teams, supporting recruitment, induction, coaching, professional development and accountability for professional standards.
• Monitor safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, health and safety and other compliance systems.
• Lead operational audits and contribute to inspection readiness.
• Support school self-evaluation and the implementation of school improvement priorities.
• Support the efficient management of school resources and contribute to the smooth running and good order of the school.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with parents, carers, external agencies and, where appropriate, the Department for Education and Ofsted.
• Deputise for senior leaders as required and contribute to assemblies, school events and wider improvement initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate

You will hold Qualified Teacher Status or a recognisedteaching qualification and have a minimum of five years' successful teachingexperience within a school setting.

You will bring experience of working across a range ofpastoral and academic contexts in special schools, alternative provision orARPs/units, together with experience of leading and managing a team at middleleadership level. You will have a proven track record of leading significantareas of responsibility, contributing to whole-school improvement anddelivering successful outcomes.

You will have:

• High expectations of achievement, behaviour and outcomes for all pupils.
• The ability to identify barriers to learning and implement effective strategies to overcome them.
• The ability to evaluate the quality of teaching, learning, curriculum and pastoral provision.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire high standards among colleagues and pupils with a range of needs.
• A commitment to developing, coaching and supporting colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities effectively.
• The ability to identify priorities, develop appropriate responses and secure improvement.
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal and stakeholder communication skills.
• The ability to monitor, review and evaluate the impact of initiatives and actions.
• Integrity, professionalism, resilience and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• The ability to motivate, support and challenge colleagues.
• A flexible, adaptable and solutions-focused approach.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people.

AboutOak Tree School

Oak TreeSchool is a calm, inclusive and aspirational learning environment whererelationships come first and every young person is supported to thrive on theirown terms. Our learners, aged 5-19, benefit from a personalised curriculum thatblends academic learning with highly specialised therapeutic and developmentalsupport. As a school created in September 2023 to meet the growing need forspecialist places across the local community, we pride ourselves on offering anurturing setting where pupils feel safe, valued and ready to flourish

OurEthos

We believein nurturing potential and encouraging independence, recognising each learneras an individual and supporting them intellectually, emotionally, socially andphysically. As part of the Maiden Erlegh Trust, Oak Tree School activelypromotes mutual respect, cultural understanding and a strong, collaborativework ethic, ensuring that every child develops confidence, resilience and asense of personal worth.

OurLearners

Our pupils have a widerange of strengths and needs, including autism and Speech, Language and Communication Needs(SLCN). Our primary cohort includes learners with SLD and high sensory needswho require highly adapted environments. In secondary, many learners have MLDand are more able to engage with formal learning, but still need significantscaffolding. A key focus is supporting both students and staff with the transitionfrom sensory-based to more structured learning, ensuring approaches remaindevelopmentally appropriate rather than age-driven. Many students join us afterexperiencing barriers in previous settings, so we prioritise connection,consistency and trust. Students are celebrated for every success-big orsmall-and are supported through carefully sequenced learning and personalisedpathways that prepare them for adulthood, independence and fulfilling futures.

What ItMeans to Work Here?

Working at Oak TreeSchool means joining a skilled, compassionate and committed team who placechildren's well-being at the heart of everything they do. Staff will have ahuge role to play in the development of the culture in the school. As Oak Treeis not yet established working together is important to encourage curiosity,relationships matter, and professional development is supported through the wider Maiden Erlegh Trust Special & AP Hub. You will play an essential rolein building an inclusive community that celebrates individuality, ensuresprogress for all learners, and champions high aspirations

WhyYou'llLoveThisRole?

You will have theopportunity to make a life-changing difference to young people who deserve tobe seen, supported and inspired. Whether helping a child find their voice,navigate a social challenge, or take a confident step into the world, your workwill directly shape their journey. Oak Tree School is a place where staff feelvalued, where innovative practice is encouraged, and where every member of theteam contributes meaningfully to our shared mission

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

MaidenErlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire andOxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for everychild and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across nineschools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, weare proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We AimHigh, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus onhigh-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, andcontinuous improvement.

Throughthe Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professionallearning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadershipopportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference-a day that unites our wholeteam in sharing best practice and learning.

Joiningour Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and valuesexpertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomesof young people.

You canlearn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust byclicking here to visit our website.

Benefits

• PensionScheme: Generousemployer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the TeachersPension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average EarningSchemes.
• AnnualLeave: Weoffer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.
• ME Day: Colleagues may request oneadditional day's leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as achild's sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
• ProfessionalDevelopment: Weoffer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the MaidenErlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD.Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops,networking and learning for all staff.
• HybridWorking: Foreligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements,balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.
• Perkbox: Colleagues have access toPerkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources andreceive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods andservices.
• Wellbeingand Health: Freeflu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided tothose who are eligible.
• EmployeeAssistance Programme: Incorporatingdiscount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.
• MentalHealth First Aid support.
• Recognitionand Community: Weregularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across ourschools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.
• EmployeeReferral Scheme.

Workingfor our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting theeducation and life chances of children and young people every day.

MaidenErlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed tosafeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidatewill be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references