Deputy Headteacher - Special School
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 22 Ionawr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 21 Chwefror 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 7DT |
| Cwmni: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 46aada0c-c6b2-4215-9a88-c2be306b50cf |
Crynodeb
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Role
Reporting directly to the Headteacher, the Deputy Headteacher will support and assist in all aspects of school leadership and management and will deputise for the Headteacher when required. The successful candidate will work strategically and operationally to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, safeguarding, and inclusion across the school.
You will be a visible, approachable leader with a strong moral purpose, able to inspire staff and pupils while driving continual improvement in outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key Responsibilities
• Support and deputise for the Headteacher, including leading the school in their absence
• Provide strategic leadership across teaching, learning, curriculum, and assessment
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, ensuring safeguarding policies are rigorously implemented
• Lead and manage staff effectively, including performance management and professional development
• Play a key role in whole-school self-evaluation and improvement planning
• Develop and lead a knowledge-rich, well-sequenced bespoke curriculum
• Work closely with governors, parents, external agencies, and the local authority
• Contribute to financial and resource management
• Maintain a strong presence across the school, modelling outstanding practice and behaviour management
The Successful Candidate Will Have
Essential:
• Qualified Teacher Status with a good honours degree
• Substantial teaching experience across primary/secondary phases, ideally within SEND
• Proven experience in senior or middle leadership with strategic responsibilities
• A strong track record of improving outcomes for pupils, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Outstanding classroom practice and deep knowledge of safeguarding requirements
• Experience of leading staff, managing underperformance, and delivering effective CPD
Desirable:
• Postgraduate qualification
• National Professional Qualification (NPQSL or similar)
• NaSENCo qualification
• SEND teaching experience across a range of settings
Personal Qualities
• A calm, resilient, and flexible leader with excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage change sensitively
• A positive, solution-focused approach with the ability to hold difficult conversations
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and able to lead by example
• Strong alignment with the values and ethos of Oakfield Park School
What the school offers its staff
Oakfield Park School is seeking to appoint an exceptionalDeputy Headteacherto join our committed and ambitious leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in an Outstanding, specialist SEND, as affirmed by Ofsted in March 2025, setting where every pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan and deserves the very best education and care.
Oakfield Park School caters for 177 young people in the secondary and post 16 phases with severe, complex, or profound multiple learning difficulties. Among our diverse student body, many individuals contend with additional needs, including Autism, multi sensory impairments, as well as medical and physical needs.
We have 2 sites; our main site is located in Ackworth and caters for 20 classes of 6 to 12 students aged between 11 and 19. Our satellite site is located in Thornes Park Wakefield which caters for 15 students aged 16 – 19 who are accessing our Work skills pathway. This role presents an exciting opportunity as we continue to grow.
Why Join Oakfield Park School?
• An Outstanding specialist provision with a strong reputation
• A highly skilled, committed staff team
• Pupils who are valued, understood, and supported to succeed
• A leadership role with real influence and scope to make a difference
• Supportive governance and strong partnerships with the local authority
Visiting Oakfield Park School
We encourage potential candidates to arrange a visit to the school by contacting recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk
Further information
The successful candidate will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.
Completed application forms should be returned to recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk or Oakfield Park School, Barnsley Road, Ackworth, Pontefract WF7 7DT no later than midnight on 12th April 2026 at midnight.
Closing Date: 12th April 2026 midnight
Shortlisting Week commencing 13th April 2026
Interview date: 27th & 28th April 2026
For further details and an application form contact the School on 01977 613423 or recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk
Commitment to safeguarding
Oakfield Park is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Governing Body has a duty of care to students and all members of the school community. There is a comprehensive Safeguarding policy in place which, along with a policy for Health and Safety, is regularly reviewed by the Governing Body. Our Safeguarding policy can be found on the school website under the Policies section and is also available upon request from the school office.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Headteacher, the Deputy Headteacher will support and assist in all aspects of school leadership and management and will deputise for the Headteacher when required. The successful candidate will work strategically and operationally to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, safeguarding, and inclusion across the school.
You will be a visible, approachable leader with a strong moral purpose, able to inspire staff and pupils while driving continual improvement in outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key Responsibilities
• Support and deputise for the Headteacher, including leading the school in their absence
• Provide strategic leadership across teaching, learning, curriculum, and assessment
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, ensuring safeguarding policies are rigorously implemented
• Lead and manage staff effectively, including performance management and professional development
• Play a key role in whole-school self-evaluation and improvement planning
• Develop and lead a knowledge-rich, well-sequenced bespoke curriculum
• Work closely with governors, parents, external agencies, and the local authority
• Contribute to financial and resource management
• Maintain a strong presence across the school, modelling outstanding practice and behaviour management
The Successful Candidate Will Have
Essential:
• Qualified Teacher Status with a good honours degree
• Substantial teaching experience across primary/secondary phases, ideally within SEND
• Proven experience in senior or middle leadership with strategic responsibilities
• A strong track record of improving outcomes for pupils, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Outstanding classroom practice and deep knowledge of safeguarding requirements
• Experience of leading staff, managing underperformance, and delivering effective CPD
Desirable:
• Postgraduate qualification
• National Professional Qualification (NPQSL or similar)
• NaSENCo qualification
• SEND teaching experience across a range of settings
Personal Qualities
• A calm, resilient, and flexible leader with excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage change sensitively
• A positive, solution-focused approach with the ability to hold difficult conversations
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and able to lead by example
• Strong alignment with the values and ethos of Oakfield Park School
What the school offers its staff
Oakfield Park School is seeking to appoint an exceptionalDeputy Headteacherto join our committed and ambitious leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in an Outstanding, specialist SEND, as affirmed by Ofsted in March 2025, setting where every pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan and deserves the very best education and care.
Oakfield Park School caters for 177 young people in the secondary and post 16 phases with severe, complex, or profound multiple learning difficulties. Among our diverse student body, many individuals contend with additional needs, including Autism, multi sensory impairments, as well as medical and physical needs.
We have 2 sites; our main site is located in Ackworth and caters for 20 classes of 6 to 12 students aged between 11 and 19. Our satellite site is located in Thornes Park Wakefield which caters for 15 students aged 16 – 19 who are accessing our Work skills pathway. This role presents an exciting opportunity as we continue to grow.
Why Join Oakfield Park School?
• An Outstanding specialist provision with a strong reputation
• A highly skilled, committed staff team
• Pupils who are valued, understood, and supported to succeed
• A leadership role with real influence and scope to make a difference
• Supportive governance and strong partnerships with the local authority
Visiting Oakfield Park School
We encourage potential candidates to arrange a visit to the school by contacting recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk
Further information
The successful candidate will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.
Completed application forms should be returned to recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk or Oakfield Park School, Barnsley Road, Ackworth, Pontefract WF7 7DT no later than midnight on 12th April 2026 at midnight.
Closing Date: 12th April 2026 midnight
Shortlisting Week commencing 13th April 2026
Interview date: 27th & 28th April 2026
For further details and an application form contact the School on 01977 613423 or recruitment@oakfieldpark.wakefield.sch.uk
Commitment to safeguarding
Oakfield Park is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Governing Body has a duty of care to students and all members of the school community. There is a comprehensive Safeguarding policy in place which, along with a policy for Health and Safety, is regularly reviewed by the Governing Body. Our Safeguarding policy can be found on the school website under the Policies section and is also available upon request from the school office.