Assistant Headteacher

We are seeking a talented and credible professional, who will be responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and strategic development supporting the Executive Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher to ensure that our school is provided with the highest quality support, challenge and intervention.

This role will primarily be based in Cheshire East / Macclesfield. We believe that The Fermain Academy and Skills Centre can reengage those students (age 12 – 16) who have become disconnected with not only mainstream education but with their own dreams and aspirations. We want to help students to recognise their achievements, and by delivering a personalised curriculum that will allow them to sit a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent).  We will prepare them for a world where they can truly realise their full potential. Designed to encourage all students to be respectful of, and generate their own alternative viewpoints and ideas, we’ll deliver a complete academic, social and emotional learning experience by placing students in smaller working groups led by adult role models that our students trust.

 

Assistant Headteacher Job Description 
 
Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership and SEND
As the Assistant Head Teacher responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and strategic development, you will:

Lead SEND Provision: Champion a high-quality SEND provision, ensuring all students with additional needs receive tailored support to achieve their full potential. Oversee the SEND team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Strategic Planning and Development: Contribute to the school’s strategic direction by developing, implementing, and reviewing the SEND policy, and aligning SEND practices with our wider school vision and goals

 

Inclusive Curriculum Leadership: Work with curriculum leads to ensure the curriculum is accessible and fully inclusive. Lead initiatives to further develop adaptive teaching practices and resources.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with external agencies, parents, and carers to ensure a joined-up approach in meeting students' needs. Build and sustain strong partnerships to advocate for students and secure additional resources.

Performance Tracking and Analysis: Use data-driven insights to monitor student progress, evaluate the effectiveness of SEND interventions, and ensure all SEND students achieve meaningful outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience: Hold a recognised SEND qualification, demonstrating advanced knowledge and expertise in SEND provision.
 
Teaching and Learning 
The Assistant Headteacher will help secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the Academy, monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of students’ achievement, and use benchmarks to track set targets for improvements.  He/she will: 

• Contribute to the teaching of their specialist subject throughout the school as required 
• Support and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning and high standards of achievement 
• Help organise the curriculum and its assessment; work with the Headteacher and other Senior Leaders to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement 
• Ensure that the curriculum and assessments meet the Academy’s curriculum requirements 
• Ensure that improvements in literacy, numeracy and information technology are priority targets for all students 
 
 
 Leading and Managing Staff 
 The Assistant Headteacher will help motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to help secure improvement.  He/she will: 
 
•   Maximise the contribution of staff to improving the quality of education provided and the standards achieved and ensure  that constructive working relationships are formed between staff and students in the Academy 
•    Ensure that equal opportunities and inclusion policies are reflected in practice 
•    Work with the Senior Leadership Team to implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal, threshold and targets for teachers, including targets relating to professional                    practice and students’ progress and achievement 
 •    Specifically motivate and enable all staff in the Academy to carry out their respective roles to the highest standard,  through high quality continuing professional development based on assessment of needs 
•      Line manage staff members as directed by the Headteacher 
 
Lead, support and co-ordinate the provision of high quality professional development 
 
• Sustain their own motivation and that of other staff 
• Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Teachers 
 
Partnership Working 
 
• Support in establishing a culture and curriculum which fulfils the aims and requirements of the wider community as set out in the vision 
• Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, businesses and other organisations into the Academy to enrich student experience and to promote the Academy’s value to the wider community 
• Collaborate with local schools, the local authority and other agencies to promote the academic spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families 
 • Represent the Academy at relevant meetings, as and when required 
 
Health and Safety / Child Protection 
 
• To help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that members of the staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others 
 • To help ensure that Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of Children in Need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration 
• To promote the safety and well-being of students and staff 
 • To ensure good order and discipline of students and staff 
 

Trust collaboration and CPD 
 
• Develop and plan their own CPD to support the Academy’s strategic development plan 
• Actively work with colleagues across the Trust to seek improvements to the curriculum, PSD, and general processes and procedures across the school.