Deputy Head Teacher

The Witherslack Group; Swindon; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training

Holiday: full school holidays

Progression opportunities

Pension options

Wellbeing resources

Medical cover

Job summary

The Witherslack Group is seeking a Deputy Head Teacher in Swindon to help shape the future of the school and lead on teaching and safeguarding alongside the Head Teacher.

You will work with young people with SEND, contribute to staffing plans, and drive instructional improvement while modelling resilient leadership and commitment to student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Previous teaching experience and Qualified Teacher Status.
• A minimum of 2 years leadership and management experience.
• Drive to raise the quality of teaching and learning.
• Understanding of good behaviours for learning.
• Effective leadership and coaching skills.
• Knowledge of developing a strong staff team using interpersonal skills.
• Support DSL through a DDSL capacity.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision for the future of the school alongside the Head Teacher.
• Ensure the right people and plans are in place to support pupils with SEND.
• Lead teaching and safeguarding initiatives and drive school improvement.
• Support staff development and performance management.
• Collaborate with management to secure strong teaching environments and outcomes.

Skills

Teaching experience

Qualified Teacher Status

Leadership experience

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Deputy Head Teacher

Start Date: October 1, 2026

Location: Swindon, Wiltshire, GB

Postcode: SN1 1

Application Deadline: October 29, 2026, 11:00

Salary: £63,688 - £70,275 + Excellent Benefits

Overview

Those Huge Small Victories

Our Deputy Head Teachers are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference.

Get out what you put in

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Alongside the Head Teacher, you’ll set the vision for the future of the school, ensuring we have the right people and plans in place to see that our young people leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.

It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Deputy Head Teacher at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed, from the broader management team, to a range of supporting specialists. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well‑resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

One of the best environments in SEND

Located in the rural community of Westbury, The Eaves is a tranquil setting that offers young people an environment to live, learn and grow. This beautiful site brings together education, care and therapeutic support for our young people, providing the perfect backdrop to realise their full potential. We primarily support young people with ADHD, ASD, SLCN and SEMH and have recently been rated Good by Ofsted.

What we do for you

• Training: A full induction and on the job training
• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
• Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers have been promoted from within our group
• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
• Pension: we offer a range of pensions including Teachers’ Pension and our very attractive TPS alternative
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover: so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street discounts
• Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
• Refer-a-Friend scheme: offers a £1,000 bonus every time

Bring your whole‑self to work

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs - and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Deputy Head Teacher, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:

• Previous teaching experience and Qualified Teacher Status
• A minimum of 2 years leadership and management experience
• Your drive to raise the quality of teaching and learning
• Your understanding of good behaviours for learning
• Effective leadership and coaching skills
• Knowledge of how to develop a strong staff team using interpersonal skills
• Support DSL through a DDSL capacity

Interested in joining us?

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and truly belongs. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference - especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognized as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

Safeguarding and Policies

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (cost covered) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. For a full job description and person specification, please refer to the provided links. Other policies include ex-offenders and Child Protection Policies.

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD