Deputy Headteacher

The Progress Group; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development

Death in Service Insurance

Family-Friendly Policies

Health and Wellbeing Cashback

Recognition Awards

Referral Bonus

Exclusive Discounts

Weekly drop ins with Senior Leaders

Group conference & benefits review

Job summary

Progress Schools Buckinghamshire is seeking a Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Culture) to lead a calm, safe and ambitious learning environment for pupils with SEMH needs. Working with the Headteacher, you will set high standards of behaviour, attendance and safeguarding across the school.

The role includes transforming behaviour systems, developing SEMH practice among staff, deputising during absences, and providing visible daily leadership to drive positive outcomes for students.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in SEMH/SEND settings.
• Strong pastoral care and safeguarding knowledge.
• Ability to transform behaviour systems and practice.
• Experience leading staff development and training.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and British values.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic and operational leadership of the school to create a calm, safe and ambitious learning environment.
• Depute for the Headteacher during absences and provide visible daily leadership across the school.
• Transform behaviour systems and develop SEMH practice among staff.
• Ensure safeguarding and high standards of attendance and conduct across pupils.
• Promote wellbeing, inclusion and community engagement across the school.

Skills

Leadership

SEMH expertise

Behaviour management

Pastoral care

Staff development

Strategic planning

Communication

Motivation

Education

Teaching qualification not essential

Job description

Join us as a Deputy Headteacher: Empower Futures!

Progress Schools Buckinghamshire is an independent specialist school providing education for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, autism, ADHD and other complex barriers to learning.

The Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Culture) plays a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership of the school, leading the development of a calm, safe and ambitious learning environment where pupils can thrive. The postholder will be responsible for establishing consistently high standards of behaviour, attendance, conduct and safeguarding across the school.

Working closely with the Headteacher, the Deputy Headteacher will lead the transformation of behaviour systems, develop staff expertise in SEMH practice, and ensure that all pupils receive the support, consistency and accountability required to achieve positive outcomes.

The postholder will deputise for the Headteacher during periods of absence and provide visible, daily leadership across the school.

Do you want to work for a company where wellbeing is more than a word, it’s a commitment? Somewhere where the person matters as much as the professional?

Well at Progress Schools, that’s just the approach we take.

Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics—enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too.

Your work-life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible.

And why do we do this? Because when you thrive, so do our students. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people who attend our schools.

But that’s not all, we also offer…

• Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in-house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!

• Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.

• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.

• Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.

• Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.

• Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.

• Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards

• Weekly drop ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop-ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT

• Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.

What are we looking for from you?

• Engagement Skills: A highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who is approachable, promotes positive relationships, and fosters high expectations. Able to inspire and motivate students in a creative and adaptable way, particularly within alternative education settings.

• Emotional Support: Committed to a high level of pastoral care with the ability to manage student behaviour effectively and provide meaningful support to students with diverse and challenging needs.

• Core Teaching Qualifications: A teaching qualification is not essential. Applications are welcomed from experienced pastoral, behaviour, safeguarding, inclusion, youth justice, children’s services, social care, SEND or specialist education leaders who can demonstrate exceptional expertise in behaviour, safeguarding and SEMH practice

• Experience: Significant leadership experience within an SEMH, SEND, Alternative Provision or specialist setting.

• Knowledge: Strong understanding of autism, ADHD and associated neurodevelopmental conditions

• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify challenges quickly and implement appropriate, student-focused solutions that drive positive outcomes.

• Promotion of Values: Dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values across the school community.

• Time Management: Effective in managing leadership responsibilities, team coordination, student outcomes, and community engagement simultaneously.

Progress Schools is part of The Progress Group, the Group is made up of six business units, each of which aspires to innovate, influence, and inspire others through high-quality and purposeful education and training. Progress Schools is a national group of 13 independent OFSTED-regulated schools.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.

Safeguarding Statement: We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. For details of our commitment to safer recruitment please visit our website for further information.

Note: We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.

Let's redefine education together!