Deputy Principal: Teaching, Learning, Curriculum & Professional Development

Deputy Principal:

Quality of Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Professional Development

We are seeking an experienced, inspirational and values-driven Deputy Principal to join our Senior Leadership Team. Working in close partnership with the Principal, School Advisory Board and leadership colleagues, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the school and ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and pupil wellbeing.

This newly created Deputy Principal role has been created in response to the continued growth and success of Dawn House School. We are seeking an exceptional leader to help drive the next phase of our development as we expand our offer for children and young people with complex speech, language and communication challenges and high-functioning autism.

The Deputy Principal will play a key strategic role, working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Group to shape and deliver an ambitious vision for high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum across all phases of the school. This is a rare opportunity to lead whole-school improvement, champion pedagogical excellence communication-supportive practice remains sector-leading. and ensure our specialist.

The role spans leadership of teaching, learning, curriculum design, assessment, digital innovation, staff development and quality assurance. The Deputy Principal will also have a major influence on culture, professional growth and school improvement, ensuring every pupil experiences an engaging, ambitious and inclusive curriculum and achieves their full potential.

This is a rare and exciting position for an experienced senior leader—someone who is deeply committed to improving life chances for pupils with SEND, skilled in developing staff, and ready to contribute to the next chapter of Dawn House School’s development.

If you are an inspiring educator with a strong track record in school improvement and a passion for specialist education, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Role: Deputy Principal: Quality of Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Professional Development

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Annual salary: Leadership Pay Scale L12–L16 (£67,898 – £75,049)

Required for September 2026

Role Overview

Dawn House School is an Ofsted Outstanding non-maintained day and residential school for children and young people with complex speech, language and communication needs.

Set in beautiful grounds near Sherwood Forest, Dawn House is part of Speech and Language UK, the leading children’s communication charity. We provide a highly specialist, integrated approach to education, therapy and care, enabling our pupils to thrive and achieve ambitious outcomes.

We are seeking to appoint well-qualified professionals of proven experience who, in close collaboration with the Principal, will:

• Ensure the vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all.

• Lead the Education team to translate the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans to promote and sustain school improvement.

• Demonstrate Vision and Values in everyday work and practice.

• Motivate and work with others to embed a shared culture and positive climate.

• Ensure creativity, innovation and the use of appropriate new technologies to achieve excellence.

• Ensure that strategic planning and the school culture and curriculum take account of the diversity, values and experience of the school and community.

• Provide a high-quality professional leadership which secures the success of the school to ensure all pupils fulfil their potential and are safe and happy at school. 

• To make a significant contribution to the school and Speech and Language UK’s wider strategic vision.

The school provides a very rewarding working environment where employees are valued and there is a focus on staff welfare.

How to Apply

To apply please send the completed Application Form to School Business Administrator catherine.ingram@dawnhouse.org.uk

The closing date for this vacancy is 12pm on Monday, 20th April 2026 with interviews taking place on Monday 27th April 2026.

Prospective candidates are warmly encouraged to visit the school prior to application. Visits to the school will take place w/c 13th April 2026. Please contact catherine.ingram@dawnhouse.org.uk for further details and to arrange convenient date and time.

Please note that we will not close applications before this time and date as we recognise that candidates put in a lot of time and effort into making an application.

Informal enquiries about this post can be made to Jenny McConnell, Principal on 01623 795361, jenny.mcconnell@dawnhouse.org.uk 

Safeguarding

Speech and Language UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We carry out appropriate vetting and verifications on all staff. Please find details of our safeguarding information and policy details Safeguarding – Dawn House

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check.

All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search covering content that is in the public domain.

Accessibility Support

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or need to apply in a different format, please contact our People Team at hr@speechandlanguage.org.uk and we will be happy to assist you. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer.