13 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    September 2026

  • Closing date

    30 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)

  • Date listed

    17 April 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Assistant headteacher

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5

Working pattern

Part time: Three days

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

L12 to L16

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you an experienced teacher with a passion for Special Educational Needs?

St Francis School, part of the Federation of Heathfield and St Francis, is seeking an outstanding professional to join our senior leadership team as a three‑day Assistant Headteacher, in a unique role which offers the opportunity to shape whole‑school improvement.

The Federation of Heathfield and St Francis Schools provides high‑quality education for pupils with a wide range of complex needs, including moderate, severe and profound learning difficulties. We are committed to inclusive, personalised learning with a strong emphasis on communication, emotional wellbeing and independence.

The successful candidate will play a key role across St Francis School and the wider federation, contributing to strategic leadership, school development and high standards of practice. Responsibilities will include:

  • Working alongside the Senior Leadership Team to drive the federation vision, values and improvement priorities.
  • Leading on a key area of federation development (to be assigned post‑appointment
  • Supporting high‑quality teaching and learning, including staff development, coaching and mentoring.
  • Monitoring performance data, supporting target‑setting and evaluating impact.
  • Acting as Accreditation Coordinator for St Francis.
  • Undertaking the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • Leading and contributing to policy development, self‑evaluation, and professional standards.
  • Strengthening partnerships with families, therapists, colleagues, governors, and external agencies.

This is a senior leadership position requiring exemplary professionalism, integrity, communication, and commitment to the highest expectations.

We are seeking a colleague who:

  • Brings successful experience in senior or middle leadership.
  • Demonstrates exceptional classroom practice and deep understanding of SEND.
  • Can lead confidently and collaboratively, motivating others and modelling best practice.
  • Uses data and monitoring effectively to drive improvement.
  • Is committed to safeguarding, inclusion, equality and federation values.
  • Communicates exceptionally well with pupils, staff, families and external partners.
  • Is reflective, solution‑focused and relentlessly positive.
  • Thrives within a nurturing, ambitious, team‑centred environment.


What the school offers its staff

How to Apply

For full details and an application form, please visit our website: www.federationheathfieldstfrancis.co.uk

Visits to the federation are warmly welcomed. To arrange a visit, please call: 01329 512804

Completed applications should be emailed to: adminoffice@st-francis.hants.sch.uk

The Federation is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

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

The federation is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About St Francis Special School

School type
Special school, ages 2 to 19
School size
110 pupils enrolled
Age range
2 to 19
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
Phone number
01329512804

SEN

Arranging a visit to St Francis Special School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email adminoffice@st-francis.hants.sch.uk.

School location

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