Deputy Headteacher ( Inclusion and Culture)

Lawn Manor Academy

Reporting to: Headteacher

Salary: Leadership Scale L19- L24

L19 £80,655 to L24 £91,158 ( Depending on experience)

Closing Date: 09.00am Friday 17th April 2026

Interview Date: Preliminary virtual interview 20th April 2026 ( after 15.00pm)

                                     In person interviews 23rd and 24th April 2026

Anticipated start date: 1st September 2026

The Role: 

Ascend Learning Trust is seeking to appoint an outstanding Deputy Headteacher ( Inclusion and Culture) to provide strategic leadership for inclusion, school culture, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, transition and pupils' personal development.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for ensuring that pupils experience a calm, orderly, respectful and supportive environment in which they feel safe, belong and are able to thrive. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in strengthening whole-school culture, reducing barriers to learning and well-being, supporting pupils through key transition points and ensuring whole-school events contribute meaningfully to belonging, engagement and community.

Working collaboratively with the Headteacher, another Deputy Headteacher, Senior & Middle Leaders, governors, trustees and the Trust's central education team, the postholder will contribute to whole-school improvement, robust self-evaluation and inspection readiness. The role includes deputising for the Headteacher when required and contributing to the effective operational leadership of the school.

Key Responsibilities: 

The Deputy Headteacher ( Inclusion and Culture) will

• Provide strategic leadership for inclusion, safeguarding, school culture, transition, behaviour, attendance, and attitudes to learning, ensuring high expectations and consistency across the school and strengthening leadership capacity and sustained improvement.
• Lead whole-school inclusion, ensuring barriers to learning and well-being are identified early and addressed through inclusive practice.
• Line Manage Senior or Middle Leaders across the areas of responsibility, ensuring strong leadership, accountability and impact.
• Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding, early help and multi-agency working to ensure pupils receive timely and effective support.
• Lead strategic oversight of pupil transition, including admissions, in-year transition, phase transfer, managed moves, reintegration and alternative provision.
• Oversee and quality-assure whole-school events that support culture, belonging, transition and community engagement, ensuring they are purposeful, inclusive and aligned to school priorities.
• Lead evaluation and inspection readiness across culture, attendance, behaviour Inclusion, safeguarding, personal development and transition.
• Work closely with governors and trustees, presenting clear, evaluative information to support effective challenge and accountability.
• Deputise for the Headteacher as required and contribute to coherent, collective leadership across the school.

The Person:

We are looking for a highly credible senior leader who:

• Has significant experience at Assistant Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher level, with a strong track record in pastoral, inclusion, safeguarding or transition leadership.
• Understands how culture, systems and relationships drive behaviour, attendance and pupils' engagement with learning.
• Can lead and line manage senior and middle leaders, including SENCo, DSL and Transition Lead, holding leaders to account for impact.
• Is confident evaluating practice and impact using first-hand evidence and professional dialogue.
• Is values-driven, inclusive and committed to Ascend Learning Trust's vision of Ambitious, Inquisitive and Independent learners and staff.

Why Join Ascend Learning Trust?

• A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence on school culture, inclusion, safeguarding and transition.
• The opportunity to work within an ambitious and supportive multi-academy trust.
• Access to high-quality professional development and Trust-wide leadership networks.
• The chance to male a lasting difference to pupils' experiences, belonging, well-being and life chances.
• Visits to the school are welcome and encouraged.

Why Choose Lawn Manor Academy?

We believe that within each child there is a real potential to achieve and that as teachers, it is our job to ensure that this potential is met through their academic studies and high expectations.

Lawn Manor Academy is an all-ability school, and we place great emphasis on inclusive education. We have an excellent pastoral care system to support pupils and the community. We offer a rounded curriculum to suit children of all abilities with excellent facilities to support this. We take pride in the focus we give to each child as an individual and how we help them to develop and grow to achieve well and be a good citizen.

As an employee of the Ascend Learning Trust, you will also receive many employee benefits as we work together to provide Excellence in Education.  

What we offer: 

• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people and contribute to shaping the future of education.
• The Trusts commitment to staff wellbeing including acknowledgement and appreciation through reward and recognition.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and promotes work-life balance.
• Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and other resources to support overall well-being.
• A commitment to fostering a culture of trust, respect, and empowerment.
• Opportunities for CDP and career progression within a supportive and ambitious trust through mentorship and coaching.
• Comprehensive support for Early Career Teachers (ECT) to ensure a successful start to their careers.
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
• Onsite parking facilities.

Please note if we receive sufficient applications, we may close this job role earlier.

At Ascend Learning Trust, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation, foster creativity, and create a workplace that truly reflects the richness of the world around us. We are excited to welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our dynamic team.

Reasonable adjustments are modifications or accommodations made to ensure that individuals with disabilities or specific needs can perform their job duties effectively. We embrace the idea that everyone should have equal opportunities to succeed, and our aim is to make this a reality. If you need any assistance completing your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01793 781485 or alternatively you can email recruitment@ascendlearning.org.uk

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Ascend Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Please note: Any position that involves working with children requires declaration of ALL convictions/cautions regardless of whether these are deemed as spent and a DBS check will be carried out before any employment commences.

In line with KCSIE 2023 and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of our safeguarding checks and will seek publicly available information on candidates’ suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further guidance and will be asked to clarify their online presence.

References will be obtained before interview at shortlisting stage and may be used in the interview process. If previous employment has included working with children, then at least one referee must be from this employment regardless of whether this is the current or most recent employment Any gaps in employment must be detailed and an explanation provided in the relevant section.