Key Role Information

Salary
£63,999.00 - 70,618.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
20/11/2026 23:45
Interview
Thursday 10th December 2026
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
Leadership pay scale
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
32.50
Weeks per year
52.140
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Assistant Headteacher

Start date: April 2027

opening to our first learners in June 2027

Full time

Leadership pay scale L8 to L12


At the heart of education is the ability to transform a child’s life for the better


We are opening a new specialist provision for children and young people with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and are seeking an experienced and inspirational practitioner to join our leadership team at the start of this exciting journey for the school.


Our vision for the school is one where learners’ safety, health and wellbeing are protected and promoted to the highest standards, and where all staff have aspiration and raised expectations of what learners can achieve with the right provision. We believe this provision must be rooted in a deep understanding of learners’ strengths, and the things that matter most to them. We will demonstrate our belief that parents are the experts in their children.


If your vision aligns, and you have extensive classroom experience with complex learners, please consider if this AHT role could be your next step. We are looking for an excellent practitioner who wants to work alongside class teachers and our professional partners, driving forward quality of provision. If you would like to be a key part of the team that is building a positive, collaborative culture, and making a positive difference to outcomes for learners, then please consider this role.


To establish the culture in which our learners and staff will thrive, together we will:

•             Ensure our shared values of aspiration, positivity and dignity are at the heart of everything we do

•             Create a supportive, aspirational environment, where staff are trusted, valued and empowered to make a difference

•             Invest in high-quality curriculum and SEND professional development

•             Facilitate professional collaboration, research and innovation


The school will be growing rapidly in the coming years, so adaptability, calmness and a good sense of humour will be necessary! Alongside all the usual special school requirements of resilience, drive and passion of course.

Safeguarding our learners will be the highest priority. We will be relentless in our pursuit of a physically safe and emotionally secure environment. We commit to undertaking adapted, proactive safeguarding measures that address disability-related issues including communication barriers, and we expect all stakeholders to do the same.


If you could be part of the leadership team that is building something exceptional, we would be delighted to hear from you. Although the building is not yet ready, informal pre-visits with the headteacher are warmly welcomed. We will be holding an open day on Thursday 12th November, please contact Cheryl Allard, Headteacher Designate, cheryla@zmat.co.uk to arrange am appointment.


This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward looking, inspiring and proactive Trust with a strong focus of CPD and staff well-being.

We can offer you:

  1. Supportive leadership structure
  2. A dedicated, experienced, and hardworking team of staff
  3. Excellent CPD opportunities
  4. The opportunity to develop within a highly effective multi academy trust
  5. A wide range of employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives


Benefits

Benenden Healthcare
Benenden Healthcare
VIVUP EAP & Employee discounts
VIVUP EAP & Employee discounts
Access to Teachers Pensions
Pension

Qualifications

5 GCSEs including Maths and English (grade 4-9) or equivalentessential
Qualified Teacher Statusessential
Degree or equivalent qualificationessential
National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadershipdesirable
Senior leadership or management qualification desirable

Skills

Experience

SLD / PMLD experience
SEND experience

Leadership

Effective leadership and motivational skillsessential
Focused on standards and positive outcomesessential
Adaptable - ability to adapt style to a variery of situations and peopleessential
Strategic thinkeressential
Ability to advance equality and overcome disadvantage
Inspirational leader particularly during challenging times
Strong leader in the delivery of excellence in teaching and learning
Ability to instill a strong sense of belief and accountablility in both staff and students

Personal Attributes

Integrityessential
Ability to work collaboratively and lead a teamessential
Dedicatedessential
Focused

About Us

Wolsey Park School

Leigh Christensen

leighch@zmat.co.uk

Andrewes Way
Rayleigh
Essex
SS6 9UQ

Safeguarding Information

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment. Appointment to this post will be subject to the following satisfactory pre-employment checks:

 

·        Health

·        Identity

·        Relevant work qualifications

·        Right to work in the UK

·        Barred List Check (previously List 99)

·        Disclosure & Barring Service Check (for all staff and volunteers)

·        References

·        Childcare Disqualification Declaration Check (relevant Primary School posts only)