Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Integrated Practice

Poplar House School (part of Blazing Stars Education) – a small independent therapeutic school catering for 24 pupils, aged 11-18, providing full‑time education in a therapeutic environment – is looking for a Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum and Integrated Practice
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• Leading the design, implementation, and ongoing development of a bespoke, autism‑informed curriculum aligned with SEND Code of Practice, Independent School Standards, Ofsted framework and EHCP outcomes.
• Ensuring the curriculum meets the needs of pupils with a wide range of cognitive, sensory, communication, and emotional profiles.
• Overseeing curriculum pathways (e.g. semi‑formal, formal, pre‑formal, vocational or life skills where appropriate).
• Ensuring effective use of evidence‑based autism and SEND pedagogy.
• Act as the key strategic and operational link between teaching staff and the clinical/therapy team (e.g. SALT, OT, psychology, therapy staff).
• Ensuring therapeutic targets are meaningfully embedded into classroom practice.
• Leading joint planning systems between teachers and therapists.
• Working collaboratively with the AHT to ensure EHCP outcomes are clearly translated into curriculum and classroom practice and tracked and reviewed effectively.
• Contributing to whole‑school strategic planning.
• Championing a school culture that is calm, consistent, neurodiversity‑affirming, child‑centred and trauma‑informed.

• Qualified teacher status (QTS).
• Experience at DHT level or above.
• Significant leadership experience in SEN/specialist provision and autism specialist settings.
• Strong understanding of autism, sensory processing, communication needs, regulation and emotional development.
• Proven experience of curriculum leadership, improving quality of teaching and learning, and working with or alongside clinical/therapy teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong strategic and organisational skills.
  
  NPQSL/NPQH or equivalent (desirable).
• Evidence‑based autism approaches (e.g. TEACCH, SCERTS, PBS, etc.).

Contract and

Hours:

Permanent, Full Time.

Location: 24-26 St Annes Road East, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 1UR
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Closing date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.