Assistant Headteacher

Magdalen Court School provides education for approximately 120 pupils with special educational needs. The focus for the school is to support pupils with high levels of anxiety and specific learning difficulties including autism.

Magdalen Court School strives to create an environment where each pupil’s individual strengths, talents and aptitudes are nurtured and developed. It is an inclusive school which works to provide a first-class education that encourages pupils to think independently and to develop their full intellectual, creative and physical potential. Its success is the result of the recognition of the unique worth and importance of each child.

By knowing every pupil socially, emotionally and academically, Magdalen Court School can be sure that each pupil will flourish and acquire the confidence and self-belief to achieve a fulfilling and successful future and to become confident, accomplished and ambitious young adults.

We have a vacancy for Assistant Headteacher to start in Summer Term 2025 (or sooner, if possible).

Main Purpose of Job:
Carry out the duties of this post in line with the remit outlined in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document including the conditions of employment for Assistant Headteachers and the school’s own policy.

Working directly with the Headteacher in: 
• Formulating the aims and objectives of the school
• Implementing the policies through which school priorities are achieved
• Managing staff and resources proactively
• Taking responsibility for the school in the absence of the Headteacher and/or Deputy Headteacher
• Carrying out the professional duties of a teacher as required
• Taking a proactive lead in areas defined through the school development plan
• Being an effective leader in change management
• Developing the roles and responsibilities of the wider leadership team

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The main focus of the role will be to lead the coordination of Key Stages 4 and 5 and preparing the learners for adulthood and employability with a focus on careers, personal development and independence. This will include ensuring a smooth transition between classes and cohesion across the curriculum as well as consistency around the expectations of the pupils.
This post will also play a role in monitoring, evaluation, and assessment across the school.

Shaping the future Magdalen Court School
• Develop and implement an ambitious vision and ethos for the future of the school
• Play a leading role in the school improvement and school self-evaluation planning process
• Devise, implement and monitor action plans and other policy developments
• Lead by example to motivate and work with others when implementing and managing change initiatives
• Promote a culture of inclusion within the school community where all views are valued and considered

Leading teaching and learning
• Be an excellent role model, exemplifying a high standard of teaching and promoting high expectations for all members of the school community
• Work with the Headteacher to raise standards through staff performance management
• Lead the development of a differentiated curriculum including planning, recording and reporting
• Support the delivery of strategy, ensuring management decisions are implemented holding others to account when required
• Participate in the processes involved in monitoring, evaluating and challenging the quality of teaching and learning taking place throughout the school
• Ensure the systematic reporting of information is consistently high across the school
• Develop, review systems to ensure robust evaluation of school performance, progress data and actions 
• Ensure through leading by example the active involvement of pupils and staff in their own learning

Developing self and others
• Support the development of collaborative approaches to learning within the school and beyond
• Support the induction of staff new to the school 
• Support induction co-ordinator for NQTs and have responsibility for students on teaching practice and those undertaking work experience
• Plan work program and oversee the work of supply staff/trainees/volunteers in the school 
• Be an excellent role model for both staff and pupils in terms of being reflective and demonstrating a desire to improve and learn
• Support the Headteacher in delivering an appropriate programme of professional development for all staff including coaching and mentoring

Managing the organisation
• Lead regular reviews of all school systems to ensure statutory requirements are being met and improved on where appropriate
• Ensure the effective dissemination of internal information
• Working with the Headteacher, undertake key activities related to professional, personnel/HR issues 
• Support HR management and other leadership processes as appropriate sickness absence, disciplinary, capability
• Lead on a consistent approach to standards of behaviour, attendance, and punctuality 
• Be a proactive and effective member of the senior leadership team
• Support the day-to-day effective organisation and running of the school including the deployment of staff as appropriate

Securing accountability
• Lead and support the staff and governing body in fulfilling their responsibilities 
• Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the school
• Hold staff to account in line with school development plan

Strengthening community
• Work with the Headteacher in developing the policies and practice, which promote inclusion, equality and the extended services that the school offers
• Develop and maintain contact with all specialist support services 
• Promote the positive involvement of parents/carers in school life
• Organise and conduct meetings where appropriate with parents and carers to ensure positive outcomes for all parties
• Strengthen partnership and community working
• Promote positive relationships and work with colleagues in other schools and external agencies

General/Other:
• To ensure that pupils needs are prioritised and to have a clear sight of how this role impacts on school pupils at all times 
• To be aware of and adhere to all school policies and procedures 
• To be responsible for your own continuing self-development and attend meetings as appropriate
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as require

Special Conditions related to the post
• Physical fitness 
• Able to work unsocial hours
• Key holder

Magdalen Court School is committed to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and to ensuring a culture of valuing diversity and ensuring equality of opportunities.

Successful applicants must be suitable to work with children and will need to undertake the following before commencing employment: 
• Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate with barred list information
• Receipt of two satisfactory employer references one of which must be from your current or most recent employer
• Satisfactory verification of relevant qualifications
• Satisfactory health check 
• We will carry out an online search about candidates for information that is publicly available online. This will include social media accounts. This will only be carried out on shortlisted candidates and before interview. This processing of data will be conducted under the legal basis of Article 6(e) public task in line with the guidance laid out in para 221 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024. Any data collected during this search will be retained in line with our retention schedule which is available on request.

All new employees will be required to undertake mandatory training required by the school.

The above duties are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake tasks, roles and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to them by the Senior Leadership Team.

This job description will be kept under review and may be amended via consultation with the individual, Governing Body and/or Senior Leadership Team as required. 

A full induction programme and opportunities for professional development will be provided.

For any enquiries please email:   

How to apply:
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please ensure you read and understand our Privacy Notice, which is attached with this pack, before applying. We make appointments in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection Policy.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
When completing application forms, applicants are advised that submitting an incorrect or insufficiently completed application form will result in non-selection for an interview. Particular attention should be made to supplying a full career history since secondary education and referees meeting the required criteria. Following updated guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, Magdalen Court School will undertake an online check of all shortlisted candidates.

To download an application pack, please visit

Please complete an application form in full and return to:
Please state your subject specialism/area of interest on the application form.
Please note that we do not accept CVs. 
Please note that if you have not received a reply within 28 days of the closing date you must assume that, on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that we reserve the right to conclude the application period before the closing date. We will be reviewing the applications and shortlisting for this post during the advertising period and the role may therefore be filled prior to the closing date.