For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, job share, compressed hours, or staggered hours. Please wait until the job offer stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what’s possible for the role.

To see more about the school please see our applicant pack - Assistant Headteacher Applicant Pack

Inspire. Lead. Transform Lives.

Are you an experienced and ambitious school leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs?

We are seeking a dynamic and committed Assistant Headteacher to join our established Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in leading a specialist multi-site provision, ensuring outstanding teaching, learning, safeguarding and pupil outcomes across our school community.

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, supporting staff, driving school improvement and ensuring every pupil receives the highest quality educational experience.

About the role

As Assistant Headteacher, you will:

Lead and develop outstanding teaching, learning, safeguarding and SEMH provision.

Support the delivery of the school's vision, values and ethos across all sites.

Drive high standards of achievement, behaviour, attendance and personal development.

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning, using data to inform improvement.

Lead, motivate and manage a multidisciplinary team including teachers, mentors, pastoral staff and administration colleagues.

Develop and implement improvement and development plans.

Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements, school policies and JCQ examination regulations.

Oversee pupil admissions, transitions and provision planning.

Build positive relationships with parents, carers, commissioners and external agencies.

Lead staff appraisal, performance management and professional development.

Contribute strategically as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

About the successful candidate

We are looking for a resilient, compassionate and inspirational leader who:

Essential

Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Has successful experience in a middle leadership or senior leadership role.
Has recent experience monitoring and improving teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
Has experience managing and motivating staff teams.
Demonstrates excellent behaviour management skills and trauma-informed practice.
Has a strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
Can work effectively with parents, carers and external agencies.
Is highly organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities.
Has a full, clean driving licence and is willing to travel between sites when required.
Is committed to raising aspirations and securing the best possible outcomes for vulnerable learners.

Desirable

NPQ, SENCO or SEND qualification (or currently working towards one).
Experience working within specialist SEND, SEMH or alternative provision settings.
Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and Children and Families Act.
Experience of budget management.

About the School

Welcome to ACE schools. At ACE we are proud to provide education to young people aged from 4-16 who are not currently accessing mainstream or special school provision.

Our school supports young people from all over the region with provisions in Cornwall, Plymouth and Exeter. Our school prides itself on providing a trauma informed approach to all of our young people ensuring that everyone’s learning is tailored to them as individuals.

Our provisions are tailored to the specific needs of our young people with highly trained staff delivering group teaching, one to one support, and outreach into the community ensuring that we have an adaptability that makes us specialists in our field.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

Those we recruit those who can demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is 18/10/2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for 21-22/10/2026

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary plus TPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.

[261006B] Assistant Headteacher

About This Role

Compensation

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