Head of Secondary & Post 16 / Class Teacher

Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme (LGPS or TPS)

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Employee Wellbeing support

Employee Discounts

Season Ticket Loan

Employee Referral Scheme

Job summary

Bedelsford School in Kingston upon Thames is seeking an enthusiastic Head of Secondary/Post 16 class teacher to lead our school community and champion tailored teaching strategies that meet individual needs. You will drive mission delivery, foster a positive culture for students and staff, and collaborate with families and external partners.

The post requires QTS with substantial SEND leadership experience, strong curriculum planning, safeguarding commitment, and an ability to work within a

Qualifications

• QTS with substantial experience in secondary and/or SEND settings.
• Proven leadership and management ability within a senior team.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum planning and accreditation pathways.
• Experience working with families and multi‑agency partners.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Secondary and Sixth Form departments, ensuring effective day‑to‑day organisation.
• Drive high‑quality teaching and learning with personalised, differentiated programmes.
• Oversee student accreditation pathways and evidence outcomes.
• Lead Careers Education, align with Gatsby Benchmarks and prepare students for adulthood.
• Build partnerships with parents, external agencies, colleges and employers.

Skills

Leadership experience

Curriculum planning

Communication skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

Job description

Working Pattern: Full Time

Bedelsford School is an Outstanding special school located in Kingston, providing a nurturing and innovative learning environment for pupils from 2 to 19. We support a diverse group of students with a wide range of physical disabilities, including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, moderate learning needs, and complex health conditions.

The school benefits from specialist facilities including an accessible swimming pool, adapted outdoor play areas and an outdoor learning environment. It is within walking distance of the vibrant town centre of Kingston upon Thames and has excellent transport links.

Bedelsford School is committed to evidence-based practice. We draw on the latest developments in neuroscience and educational research to continually enhance the skills of our staff. Every member of our team is trained to understand how each pupil learns uniquely and is supported in delivering tailored teaching strategies that help our students achieve their full potential.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Head of Secondary/Post 16 class teacher to lead our school community to make a profound impact on students’ lives by fostering an environment where their individual needs are met and celebrated. The successful candidate will drive our mission forward, championing a positive culture for students and staff, enhancing educational programs, and working with families, the local community, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Secondary and Sixth Form departments, ensuring the effective day-to-day organisation of staff, resources, timetables, and curriculum delivery.
• Drive high-quality teaching and learning by supporting staff to deliver personalised, differentiated programmes that enable students to achieve their full academic, social, emotional, and life skills potential.
• Oversee student accreditation pathways, ensuring appropriate qualifications are identified, delivered, and evidenced to maximise student achievement and outcomes.
• Lead the school's Careers Education programme, ensuring compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks and supporting students in preparing for adulthood, further education, employment, and independent living.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with parents, external agencies, colleges, supported living providers, and employers to support positive outcomes for students.

Key Requirements:

• (Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial experience of teaching and leading within a secondary and/or special educational needs (SEND) setting.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop staff while working collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum planning, assessment, accreditation pathways, and preparing students with additional needs for adulthood and future destinations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience of working effectively with families, external professionals, and multi-agency partners.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and promoting the wellbeing, personal development, and achievement of all students.

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Bedelsford School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Interviews will take place on: 5th October 2026

To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.