Assistant Headteacher at Keys Group

Full description

Package Description

Assistant Headteacher – Denby Grange School, Off Stocksmoor Road, Midgley, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4JG

Salary: £45,000 £50,000 | Full Time (40 hours/week)

Purpose of the Role

To lead and develop the curriculum, teaching quality, and pupil achievement across the school, ensuring that all pupils, including those with complex needs, receive a high-quality, broad, balanced, and coherent education. While overseeing the schools behaviour management, attendance strategies, personal development programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives.

The Assistant Headteacher will champion evidence-based teaching practises and professional development, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment that supports pupils’ social, emotional, and behavioural needs, reflecting a trauma-informed, therapeutic ethos. While modelling the Keys EPIC values and adhering strictly to the Staff Code of Conduct.

At Denby Grange School

We currently offer the opportunity for all pupils who are working at that level to achieve nationally recognised accreditation in English, Maths, Science, Personal and Social Development, PHSE, Design Technology, Food Technology. This runs alongside our own internal accreditation for academic progress and achievement.

In order to meet the diverse needs of the children at Denby Grange School we ensure that the staff to pupil ratio is always very high. The school is currently registered for 50 pupils and at present there is a Headteacher, Associate Headteacher, School Administrator, a further 12 full time teaching members and 20 teaching assistants.

Key Responsibilities

Model professional behaviour, integrity, respectful communication, and high standards of behaviour consistent with the Staff Code of Conduct
Work collaboratively with senior leaders, staff, parents, and external agencies to meet pupils’ needs
Embed trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches in curriculum delivery and teaching practises
Foster a school culture that promotes inclusion, respect, resilience, and high expectations for behaviour and personal development.
Lead the design, development, and implementation of a curriculum that is accessible, engaging, and tailored to the needs of pupils with complex needs and SEND
Use positive reinforcement, early intervention, and restorative approaches to support pupil behaviour and reduce exclusions
Ensure statutory curriculum requirements are met, and that literacy, numeracy, science, ICT, and vocational subjects are effectively delivered
Use assessment data to identify gaps in learning and lead targeted interventions to improve pupil outcomes
Develop and oversee programmes that promote pupils’ social, emotional, and mental health wellbeing
Coordinate pastoral care systems and interventions to support vulnerable pupils and promote resilience. Lead strategies to raise pupil attainment and progress across all subjects
Ensure that teaching supports pupils’ social and emotional development alongside academic progress
Lead on safeguarding initiatives related to behaviour and wellbeing, liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as appropriate
Engage parents and carers as partners in their children’s learning
Encourage reflective practice and engagement with educational research
Contribute to budget planning related to curriculum resources and staff training
Promote a positive, safe learning environment where pupils can thrive emotionally and academically
Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards (Parts 3 and 5) and all relevant health and safety regulations
Requirements

Qualified Teacher Status; relevant leadership qualification NPQSL or equivalent
Proven experience leading curriculum development and improving teaching quality
Deep understanding of curriculum design, assessment, and evidence-informed teaching strategies
Proven experience leading behaviour management, attendance, or pastoral care in complex settings
Ability to lead, motivate, and support teaching staff, modelling the Staff Code of Conduct
Strong interpersonal skills with staff, pupils, parents, and external partners
Deep understanding of behaviour management, attendance strategies, safeguarding, and mental health
Commitment to professional conduct and safeguarding as per the Staff Code of Conduct
Ability to use data to inform teaching strategies and curriculum planning
Ability to use data to inform behaviour and attendance strategies and pastoral planning
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupil wellbeing
Resilience, adaptability, empathy, and passion for improving pupil outcomes
Benefits of Joining Keys

NEST enhanced pension scheme
Staff Referral Scheme – Refer a friend to join Keys and split a £500 referral bonus between you
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Access to a blue light discount card
Fully funded training and qualifications for all colleagues
Enhanced pay scales based on experience and qualifications
Employee benefits scheme such as wellbeing app and a range of discounts
Life assurance
Keys Education is a national network of alternative learning solutions and pathways, designed to support learners with diverse needs to achieve their goals and realise their potential. It helps individuals with support needs build stability, resilience, and a sense of belonging through Connected Support.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are also committed to supporting the Armed Forces community through our Armed Forces Covenant.

Eligible candidates from military backgrounds are guaranteed an interview – please include details of your service on your CV.

Safeguarding

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts require an enhanced DBS check.

More can be found about Keys and our Therapeutic Education Services here

School tours are highly welcomed as a part of our interview selection process.

Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education an online search will be carried out on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence checks.

EDULEAD