Deputy Headteacher

Hours: 27 hours per week Contract: Permanent Term Time Only Role: 39 weeks per year Start Date: September 2026 Actual Salary: L18 - L23 About the Role

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader to join Danecourt School at a pivotal moment in its journey.

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Deputy Headteacher to join our senior leadership team and play a key role in shaping the future of our provision — including an ambitious expansion to extend our age range from 11 to 19, with a new secondary provision opening in 2028.

Danecourt is a large, well-established primary special school supporting almost 300 pupils with complex needs across three sites. We are committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive education through innovative, personalised approaches that meet a wide range of learning, communication and sensory needs.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role, where you will:

• Support the Headteacher in driving school improvement, strategy, and governance

• Lead the pastoral provision and whole-school wellbeing strategy, ensuring a coherent and high-quality approach across all phases

• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and personalised learning across primary and the developing secondary provision

• Provide operational leadership across multiple sites, ensuring consistency in standards, safeguarding, and behaviour

• Lead, coach, and develop staff, modelling excellent practice and building leadership capacity

• Play a key role in the planning and phased development of the new secondary provision

• Build strong partnerships with families, therapists, and external agencies

You will be a visible, inspiring leader who champions inclusive practice and is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people with complex needs.

Who you Are
We are looking for an exceptional leader who:

• Has proven senior leadership experience within special education

• Has experience of leadership within a secondary setting

• Has a strong understanding of curriculum design, assessment, and personalised approaches for pupils with complex needs

• Can lead and inspire teams across multiple sites with clarity, empathy, and high expectations

• Is committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and improving life chances for pupils

• Has strong organisational and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to lead change and manage complex projects

• Is resilient, reflective, and values-driven, with a passion for making a meaningful difference

What We Offer
Danecourt offers a welcoming, ambitious and inclusive environment where leaders are empowered to make a genuine difference. As part of the Maritime Academy Trust, we provide meaningful career opportunities, strong collaboration and the chance to shape exceptional provision for pupils with complex SEND.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A supportive, experienced leadership team, working collaboratively across multiple sites and provisions

• A unique opportunity to lead and shape a growing school

• Meaningful impact at scale, where your leadership will directly influence outcomes, provision and life chances for children and young people with complex needs

• Clear professional development pathways, with access to Trust-wide leadership networks and executive support

• The opportunity to lead innovation in SEND education, contributing to curriculum development, pastoral provision and inclusive practice

• Strong multi-disciplinary working, collaborating with therapists, families and external professionals to deliver holistic support

• Access to specialist facilities and resources, including sensory environments, outdoor learning spaces and therapeutic provision

• A culture of continuous improvement and professional learning, with high-quality CPD and leadership development opportunities

• A strong sense of purpose, where your leadership will shape staff development, school culture and pupil outcomes

• The opportunity to be part of a school recognised for excellence, including being winners of the Medway Parents and Carers Forum SEND Awards

Ready to Make a Difference?

We’d love to welcome you for a visit — come and see what makes Danecourt so special. Please contact the school office on 01634 232589 to arrange or call to speak to Cathryn Falconer about the role.

You’ll find more about the role, school, and Trust in the Candidate Information Pack attached. Apply now via My New Term — we may interview and appoint as applications are received, so don’t delay!

Danecourt School and the Maritime Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity, striving to build a team that reflects a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The more inclusive we are, the stronger we become. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check and online checks in line with the latest safeguarding guidance.