Assistant Head Teacher – Teaching & Learning (Science Lead)

Arbour Academy, Salford, Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester, M5 5AG

22 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  20 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  26 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Subject: Science
• Working pattern: Full time: Monday to Friday. Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Leadership Scale, L4-L8

What skills and experience we're looking for

Assistant Head Teacher – Teaching & Learning (Science Lead)

Arbour Academy(Initial base at Arbour Academy. Location formally reviewed after 6 months and may transfer to Acer Academy, Salford.)

Inspire Curiosity. Lead Excellence. Transform Futures.

Arbour Academy, part of Kings Academy Trust, is a small, nurturing provision for up to 50 learners with social, emotional and mental health needs who are unable to access mainstream education.

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum within a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment. Our holistic approach — including pastoral care, therapeutic interventions and access to a Trust counsellor — enables young people to re-engage with education, rebuild confidence and make meaningful academic and personal progress.

We are now seeking an exceptional Assistant Head Teacher – Teaching & Learning (Science Lead) to join our senior leadership team.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role for an ambitious Science specialist who believes in the power of their subject to unlock curiosity, resilience and aspiration.

You will:

• Lead and model outstanding teaching and learning across the school
• Drive high-quality Science provision that engages vulnerable learners
• Strengthen curriculum design, implementation and assessment
• Coach and develop colleagues to improve classroom practice
• Play a key role in whole-school improvement strategy
• Alongside your strategic responsibilities, you will teach Science, modelling adaptive, inclusive and evidence-informed practice that supports pupils with SEMH and EBSA needs.

This post offers the opportunity to shape Science as a vehicle for engagement, academic progress and preparation for adulthood within a specialist setting.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Teaching & Learning Leadership

• Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning across the curriculum
• Deliver high-impact coaching and developmental feedback
• Support subject leaders to ensure ambitious and coherent curriculum implementation
• Lead on raising standards in classroom practice
• Science Leadership
• Deliver engaging, high-quality Science lessons
• Ensure sequencing, progression and challenge within the Science curriculum
• Use assessment effectively to identify gaps and accelerate progress
• Champion practical, enquiry-led and real-world learning experiences

Curriculum & Assessment

• Strengthen inclusive curriculum design across subjects
• Embed literacy, numeracy and personal development within learning
• Develop effective assessment systems suitable for pupils with SEND
• Lead targeted interventions to address gaps in attainment

Inclusion & Adaptive Practice

• Work closely with the SENCo to embed adaptive teaching strategies
• Promote consistent use of scaffolding, modelling, chunking and visual supports
• Ensure barriers to learning are proactively addressed

Leadership & School Development

• Line manage and develop staff
• Contribute to CPD aligned with school priorities
• Support behaviour, safeguarding and positive engagement
• Contribute to leadership meetings and Trust-wide collaboration

About You

You are an experienced and reflective Science specialist who:

• Is a qualified teacher with a relevant degree
• Has experience working with pupils with SEMH and EBSA
• Has successfully improved teaching and learning across a school or department
• Is confident using assessment and data to drive progress
• Is an effective coach and developer of staff
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence, resilience and strong relational practice
• Is committed to evidence-informed practice and continuous professional growth

Desirable:

• Experience within a Trust or multi-school context
• Willingness to pursue further leadership qualifications (e.g. NPQ)

Why Join Arbour Academy?

• Small school environment with strong pastoral systems
• Trauma-informed, therapeutic approach
• Opportunity to shape Science provision strategically
• Visible and supportive senior leadership team
• Part of Kings Academy Trust — collaborative and values-driven

This is a rare opportunity for a Science leader to make a profound difference in a specialist setting where relationships, inclusion and academic ambition go hand in hand.

Further Information & Application Details

For further information, please contact:

Mrs Colette Heavey

Executive School Business Manager📞 01925 452010✉️ colette.heavey@tkas.org.uk

Application forms should be emailed to:✉️ recruitment@tkas.org.uk

Key Dates

Closing date:12 noon, Friday 20th March 2026

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 23rd March 2026

Start date: ASAP

Safeguarding

Kings Academy Trust and Arbour Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, online search checks and other pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

What the school offers its staff

CPD Package

Trust Wellbeing Package

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Arbour Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• School size: 26 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Arbour Academy website
• Email address: colette.heavey@tkas.org.uk
• Phone number: 01925 452 010
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/arbour-academy

Arranging a visit to Arbour Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email colette.heavey@tkas.org.uk.

School location

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