Deputy Head Teacher- SEN School

Are you an inspiring educational leader with a passion for supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs?

At VAL's Community, we’re committed to creating exceptional opportunities for children and young people with Learning Disabilities and associated health and social needs. Guided by our SHINE values, we provide a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every pupil is encouraged to thrive, develop confidence, and achieve their full potential.

We’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Deputy Headteacher to join our leadership team and help shape the future of our specialist school.

Our SHINE values are at the heart of everything we do:

Safe – We create supportive environments where children feel secure and valued.

Happy – We make learning engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable.

Included – Every child belongs and is encouraged to participate fully in school life.

Nurtured – We build trusting relationships that promote confidence and growth.

Empowered – We support children to develop independence, resilience, and self‑belief.

As Deputy Headteacher, you’ll play a key role in ensuring these values are lived every day throughout our school community.

Working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will help lead and develop a high-quality specialist educational provision for pupils with a range of additional needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH).

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced educational professional who is passionate about inclusive education, staff development, safeguarding, and delivering outstanding outcomes for pupils.

• Support the strategic and operational leadership of the school.
• Undertake a teaching commitment of up to 50% of the timetable.
• Deliver high-quality, differentiated teaching tailored to individual pupil needs.
• Lead and support school improvement initiatives.
• Promote excellent safeguarding practice and pupil wellbeing.
• Coach, mentor, and develop teaching and support staff.
• Contribute actively to the Senior Leadership Team and strategic planning.
• Build strong relationships with pupils, families, professionals, and external agencies.
• Champion inclusive practices and maintain high expectations across the school.
• Help create a positive, nurturing, and aspirational learning environment for all pupils.

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• Experience working within SEN education.
• Experience leading, supporting, or managing staff within an educational setting.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• A commitment to inclusion, pupil wellbeing, and achieving positive outcomes.
• Previous experience in a leadership role within a specialist SEN setting.
• Experience supporting pupils with Autism, Learning Disabilities, and SEMH needs.
• Knowledge of EHCP processes and multi‑agency working.

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference in children’s lives.
• A supportive and values‑led organisation.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
• A collaborative and dedicated staff team.
• The chance to help shape and influence a growing specialist provision.
• Company pension scheme
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

If you’re an ambitious and compassionate educational leader who shares our commitment to helping every child succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of a team where children are Safe, Happy, Included, Nurtured, and Empowered every day.

Please note:

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks, enhanced DBS clearance, references, and medical clearance.