Job Opportunities

£67,898 - £75,049 + excellent benefits

Please note that this role is expected to commence in September 2026, although we can be flexible for the right candidate.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible

Our Deputy Head Teachers are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference

We are looking for an experienced and passionate secondary leader who can inspire both students and staff, regardless of subject specialism or previous secondary background. Working alongside the Head Teacher, you will help shape the strategic direction of the school, drive high standards across teaching and learning, and create an environment where every young person feels supported to achieve their potential.

You’ll be leading within a specialist setting supporting children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, so resilience, adaptability and compassion are essential.

The role can be challenging at times, but the progress our young people make - academically, socially and emotionally - makes every moment worthwhile. As a Deputy Head Teacher within Witherslack Group, you’ll be supported every step of the way by an experienced leadership team, specialist colleagues and a wider network that is fully committed to helping both staff and students thrive.

You’ll work in a well-resourced environment with colleagues who are passionate about what they do, giving you the opportunity to build a rewarding leadership career whilst making a genuine difference every single day.

You’ll be joining Abbeywood School, which opened in 2019, located in a newly refurbished building with every aspect designed to consider the needs of our pupils. Complemented with a highly experienced and dedicated staff team, Abbeywood has grown, both in terms of pupil numbers and reputation,  and was recently rated as Good by Ofsted. We provide a range of educational options for young people with ADHD, ASD, Asperger’s and SEMH, including an extensive provision of vocational courses.

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training

• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays

• Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers have been promoted from within our group

• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here

• Pension: we offer a range of pensions to suit your lifestyle needs including Teachers’ Pension and our very attractive TPS alternative

• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance

• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts

• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here

• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time

Our young people come from all walks of life, with diverse experiences, backgrounds and needs — and we believe our workforce should reflect that diversity too. We want leaders who can inspire, engage and genuinely connect with young people, helping them feel understood, valued and supported to succeed.

You’ll be more than a Deputy Head Teacher - you’ll be a visible, resilient and compassionate leader who can build strong relationships with both students and staff.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and substantial teaching experience within a secondary setting

• Previous leadership and management experience, ideally within a middle or senior leadership role

• A passion for improving outcomes for young people with additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs

• The ability to drive high standards across teaching, learning and behaviour

• A strong understanding of effective behaviour strategies and creating positive learning environments

• Proven leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and inspire staff teams

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families and colleagues

• Resilience, adaptability and a solution-focused approach within a specialist education environment

• The ability to contribute strategically alongside the Head Teacher to support the long-term vision and development of the school

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

For a full job description and person specification, please click  here.

To view our ex-offenders policy please click here .

To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the 'Parents and Carers' section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here .

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD

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