Assistant Headteacher at Cicely Haughton School

THE MANOR HALL ACADEMY TRUST

Cicely Haughton School

Westwood Manor

Mill Lane, Wetley Rocks, ST9 0BX

Telephone 01782 550202

Headteacher: Mrs J.Hancock

The Trust is committed to the Safeguarding and Welfare of Children and Young People and expects all Staff and Volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended.  All criminal convictions, cautions and bind-overs must be declared regardless of when they occurred.  This information will be treated in confidence.

Assistant Head Teacher-Cicely Haughton School

Pay Range: L8-12

Cicely Haughton School is a Primary residential special school providing education for children aged 4-11 years with a primary need of Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties (SEMH).

We are looking to appoint a passionate and forward-looking Assistant Head Teacher to be part of our SLT from January 2027.

The successful applicant will be directly accountable to the Headteacher, supporting the day-to-day management of the school across its delivery. The successful applicant will share responsibilities with our current Assistant Headteacher, and both post holders will need to work effectively to complement each other’s work streams and strengths. Both posts require similar specifications so collaborative working and mutual support will be essential.

The successful applicant will need to be able to work with distinction in both strategic and operational work streams, have a proven record of being creative and solution focused and have the emotional resilience to lead by example in a challenging and dynamic environment. An ability to support whole school improvement/SEND while maintaining the positive ethos and culture of the school community is essential. The successful candidate will be required to lead English, deliver phonics and English on a daily basis to a range of ages and abilities across the school.

We are seeking an exceptional leader who combines strategic vision with a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for all pupils. The successful candidate will be an experienced and credible educational professional with a proven track record of driving school improvement, SEND/LAC provision, developing staff training, and fostering an inclusive culture where every child can thrive.

Our aim at Cicely Haughton is to create a learning environment where the child is firmly at the centre of all we do.  We want children and staff at Cicely Haughton to feel they belong to a safe and supportive school, where their successes will be celebrated. They will be inspired to believe in themselves and strive to become the best they can, ready to take the next steps on their journey through life.

Cicely Haughton School is looking for someone with the:

·         Aspiration to continue our journey to the next level

·         Passion to focus relentlessly on what is best for every pupil in our context

·         Ambition to sustain a rich and varied curriculum which engages and inspires every child

·         Ability to further develop outstanding educational provision, whilst securing what works well, that results in outstanding outcomes

·         Compassion to support all members of the school community

·         Character to exemplify the school’s vision and values

·         Willingness to understand what the team has to offer and get the best from them

·         Inspiration to take us with them on the journey

·         Insight into the challenges specific to special educational needs provision

·         Vision to cultivate collaborative relationships with all stakeholders

We can offer you

• A dedicated and professional body of staff and support workers
• A fantastic group of children who love coming to our thriving school
• A supportive community and parental body
• A supportive Local Advisory Board who believes, whilst providing strategic direction to achieve our vision and ethos, that the Head Teacher runs the school
• The support and resources of being part of a multi academy trust

We believe we can provide an exciting challenge for an aspiring school leader seeking to further their career progression.

Cicely Haughton School is part of the Manor Hall Academy Trust. The Trust’s principles are based on a collaborative educational model and is currently comprised of 16 special schools and PRUs.    

Our trustees offer strong leadership to the academy and are committed to honest self-evaluation and continual improvement. They have a wide range of skills and provide challenge and support in equal measure.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Further information about Cicely Haughton School can be found on our website https://www.cicelyhaughton.staffs.sch.uk/

Visits to the school are encouraged and can be arranged by contacting the Headteacher, Janey Hancock on jhancock@cicely.mhat.org.uk 

Informal discussions with the Headteacher are welcomed on 01782 550202

Applications should be completed on My New Term - any queries please contact jkeates@cicely.mhat.org.uk

Closing date: Friday 28^th August 2026

Interviews:  Wednesday 9^th September 2026

Please note that references will be sought prior to interview.

This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the Safeguarding Policy is available on the school website www.cicelyhaughton.staffs.sch.uk.  Please note that this post is subject to satisfactory references prior to interview.

This position is subject to a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.

By engaging in this recruitment process, shortlisted candidates consent to an online search in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance 2024.

We are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship.  Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.