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Permanent

Deputy Headteacher - Specialist SEND School

Lime Tree Education Search Ltd
Wythenshawe
money-bag Negotiable
Posted: 26 August 2026 (Today)
Closing date: 25 September 2026
Ref: 225536446

Deputy Headteacher – Specialist SEND School

Location: South Manchester
Contract: Permanent, Term Time
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:15am – 4:00pm

LTE Search is supporting a specialist independent school in South Manchester to appoint a Deputy Headteacher for an immediate start as part of its continued development.

The school provides education for young people with complex SEND and additional needs, with a strong emphasis on creating a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive environment in which pupils can develop academically, socially and personally.

This would suit an established Deputy Headteacher, Head of School or an experienced Assistant Headteacher ready to step up and take on a broader whole-school leadership role.

The Role

Working closely with the Headteacher, you will have responsibility for supporting the strategic direction of the school alongside the effective day-to-day leadership of the provision.

You will take a lead role in:

  • School improvement, self-evaluation and quality assurance.
  • Teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum development.
  • Ensuring provision meets the needs identified within pupils'' EHCPs.
  • Safeguarding, behaviour, wellbeing and personal development.
  • Staff leadership, coaching, performance management and professional development.
  • Working with families, local authorities and other professionals involved in supporting pupils.
  • Operational aspects of school leadership, including staffing, timetabling, resources and risk management.
  • Deputising for the Headteacher when required.
The successful candidate will be visible within the school, able to build strong relationships with staff and pupils, and confident in balancing strategic leadership with the practical demands of running a specialist setting.

About You

You will need to hold QTS and have meaningful experience in senior school leadership.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of SEND, SEMH, complex learning needs, specialist education or alternative provision. Equally, if you have strong mainstream leadership experience alongside a genuine passion for specialist education, we would be keen to hear from you.

We would welcome applications from:
  • Deputy Headteachers or Heads of School looking for a new challenge.
  • Assistant Headteachers with the leadership experience and ambition to move into a DHT position.
You should be able to demonstrate:
  • Successful experience of leading school improvement and raising standards.
  • Strong knowledge of teaching, learning and curriculum development.
  • Experience of leading and developing staff.
  • A sound understanding of safeguarding and SEND.
  • The ability to work effectively with families and multi-agency professionals.
  • Strong judgement, organisation and decision-making.
  • Resilience, emotional intelligence and a calm, consistent approach.
  • A genuine commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for young people with additional needs.
An NPQSL, NPQH or willingness to work towards an appropriate leadership qualification would be welcomed.

Interested?

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior leader who wants to take on a role with real influence over the direction and development of a specialist school, working closely with the Headteacher and wider leadership team.

The school is looking to appoint as soon as possible, so applicants should be available to start immediately or be in a position to make themselves available at very short notice.

If you are considering your next move and feel your experience could transfer well into this setting, we''d be very interested in having a confidential conversation.

NB. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. This role is unable to offer sponsorship.

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