16 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    01 January 2027

  • Closing date

    25 September 2026 at 9am

  • Date listed

    9 September 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Assistant headteacher

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Full time equivalent salary

£58,857.00 - £65,010.00 Annually (FTE) (Uplift Pending subject to Teacher Pay Award)

Assistant Principal job summary

Assistant Principal Vacancy at Stephenson Academy

Stephenson (MK) Trust is seeking an inspiring, compassionate and ambitious Assistant Principal to join the senior leadership team at Stephenson Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced middle or senior leader who is ready to broaden their impact within a specialist SEMH setting. You will play a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of the academy, working alongside the Principal and Deputy Principal to secure high-quality education, strong behaviour and pastoral practice, effective safeguarding and positive outcomes for every pupil.

Stephenson Academy supports children and young people with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. We are therefore looking for a leader who combines high expectations with empathy, resilience and a strong understanding of inclusive and relational practice.

The successful candidate will be someone who can inspire and develop others, build strong relationships with pupils, staff, families and external partners, and use evidence, reflection and professional judgement to drive continued improvement.

Specific leadership responsibilities will be agreed in line with the successful candidate’s strengths, experience and development needs, alongside the academy’s current priorities. The role will also provide opportunities to contribute to wider Trust initiatives and collaborate with colleagues across Stephenson (MK) Trust.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of SEMH, specialist or Alternative Provision settings, although this is not essential. What matters most is a strong track record of leadership, a genuine commitment to inclusion and a determination to secure the very best outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

About Stephenson Academy

Stephenson Academy is a successful specialist SEMH academy supporting pupils aged 9-16, with an associated Post-16 provision within the Trust for students aged 16-19.

Our pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans, with SEMH identified as their primary area of need. Many also have additional needs including Autism Spectrum Condition, ADHD, speech, language and communication needs and a range of mental health needs.

We provide a nurturing, structured and highly personalised learning environment in which pupils are supported to develop confidence, resilience, independence and the skills they need to succeed both academically and personally.

What we can offer you

  • A genuine opportunity to influence the continued development of Stephenson Academy.
  • The chance to work alongside experienced leaders within a supportive and collaborative Trust.
  • Significant professional development and opportunities to broaden your leadership experience.
  • A values-driven, inclusive working environment with a strong commitment to children and young people.
  • The opportunity to contribute to specialist education and inclusion across Milton Keynes.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit Stephenson Academy and experience our provision first-hand.

Further information

For an informal discussion about the role, to arrange a visit or for further information, please contact the HR Team at HR@stephensonacademy.org.uk or on 01908 889400.

Stephenson (MK) Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List information, a Section 128 check, satisfactory references and all other relevant pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

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About Stephenson Academy

Organisation type
Academy, ages 9 to 16
Size
120 pupils enrolled
Age range
9 to 16
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
Website
Stephenson Academy website
See more jobs
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/stephenson-academy

Stephenson Academy is a successful 80 place special school, which opened in 2012. It has a main site, which caters for 11-16 year olds. We have an associated independent sixth form provision for 16-19 year olds.

As a specialist academy we cater for students who have Education and Health Care Plans with an identified primary need of Social Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH), many with associated challenging behaviour. Many of our students have additional special educational needs such as speech, language and communication difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mental health difficulties

School location

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