Elm Tree Primary Academy is a new special school in Sandwell for autistic pupils from Reception to Year 6 who have additional learning needs.

This is a very exciting opportunity for Victoria Academies Trust who are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated Assistant Head Teacher. We welcome applications from teachers with a range of experience in working with autistic pupils with additional learning needs. The position will allow the successful candidate to be

part of a small team and grow with the school as it reaches its full capacity by September 2025

We are looking for candidates who:

•Creative thinkers, passionate, committed and have the determination to secure the best possible outcomes for every child

•Have the experience and skills to work with autistic pupils

•Energetic, positive and have the ability to work effectively as part of our team

•Willing to go the extra mile to make great things happen for our children

We can offer the successful candidates:

• A commitment to continuing professional development
• A supportive and hardworking staff team
• Happy to discuss flexible working

Main purpose

The assistant headteacher will support the headteacher in:

Communicating the school’s vision compellingly and supporting the headteacher’s strategic leadership

The day-to-day management of the school

Formulating the aims and objectives of the school

Supporting teaching and learning across the school

Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives

Managing staff and resources to that end

Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives

Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead as per separate job description

This will be a class based post. School teachers are required to carry out the duties set out in the Teachers Pay and Conditions document.

This job description reflects the national teacher standards for qualified teacher status. It may be amended at any appropriate time, following consultation between the head teacher and teacher, and will be reviewed annually. Priorities relating for performance managements objectives will be identified in the performance management documentation.

Leadership time will be allocated in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

They may also be required to undertake any of the duties delegated from the headteacher.

Qualities

The assistant headteacher will:

Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour and professional conduct

Build positive and respectful relationships across the school community

Serve in the best interests of the school’s pupils

Have an excellent understanding of the needs of autistic pupils with additional learning needs

Duties and responsibilities

School culture and behaviour

Under the direction of the headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life

Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life

Ensure a culture of staff professionalism

Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school

Teaching, curriculum and assessment

Under the direction of the headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence

Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum

Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities

Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum

Promote a culture and practices that enables all pupils to access the curriculum

Have ambitious expectations for all pupils

To use effective methods of monitoring pupil progress and using information to establish a relevant curriculum

Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND Code of Practice.

Organisational management and school improvement

Under the direction of the headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively

Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care whilst carrying out the role of Deputy DSL

Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk

Ensure effective use of budgets and resources

Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context

Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented

Staff management and professional development

Under the direction of the headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Performance manage middle leaders, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account to their performance

Manage staff well with due attention to workload

Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high-standard professional development opportunities

Keep up to date with developments in education

Seek training and continuing professional development to meet their own needs

Governance, accountability and working in partnership

Under the direction of the headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Work with the governing board as appropriate

Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties

Work successfully with other schools and organisations

Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils

Other areas of responsibility

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

The assistant headteacher will:

Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum that reflects the needs of all learners.

Ensure progression, coherence, and consistency across all subjects and phases, with clear intent, implementation, and impact.

Drive high standards of teaching and learning through effective monitoring, coaching, and professional development.

Promote inclusive and adaptive teaching practices that enable all pupils, including disadvantaged learners, to achieve their full potential.

Lead and support subject leaders in curriculum design, delivery, and evaluation.

Ensure teaching and learning reflect current educational research and best practice.

Contribute to whole-school self-evaluation and school improvement planning.

Work collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure consistency and high expectations across the school.

Communicate effectively with staff, Academy Council, parents, and external agencies as appropriate.

Please see attached Job specifications for both Assistant Head Teacher & Deputy DSL

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the assistant headteacher will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role.