Deputy Headteacher (SENDCO)

Carleton High School, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 3NW

21 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  15 April 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  25 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Deputy headteacher
  • SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £80,655.00 - £91,158.00 FTE per annum

Deputy Headteacher (SENDCO) job summary

Do you have the passion, expertise and strategic vision to lead inclusion at whole‑school level and ensure every learner thrives? 

Carleton High School is looking for an outstanding senior leader to join our team as Deputy Headteacher (SENDCO). This is a fantastic opportunity to lead and elevate our SEND provision, keeping the school at the forefront of inclusive practise through a dynamic, whole-school strategy.  

The role also includes strategic leadership of our brand-new Integrated Resource Provision, opening in April 2026, supporting students with communication and interaction needs, including autism.  

About the role 

• Strategic leadership of SEND, inclusion and personalised learning across the school 
• Oversight and quality assurance of the Integrated Resource and provision  
• Key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to whole‑school improvement and decision‑making 
• Coaching, developing and line managing staff, including the Associate Assistant Headteacher (Integrated Resource Lead), Deputy SENDCO and Assistant SENDCO 
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities 
• Deputise for the Headteacher when required 

We’re looking for someone who: 

• Has proven senior leadership experience and expert knowledge of SEND 
• Is an outstanding practitioner with a track record of improving outcomes for learners with additional needs 
• Can inspire, motivate and challenge others to deliver excellence 
• Is strategic, reflective, resilient and committed to inclusive education 

Why join us? 

• A forward-thinking school and Trust with a strong commitment to inclusion 
• The opportunity to shape a brand‑new Integrated Resource from the ground up 
• A highly supportive and ambitious Senior Leadership Team.  

Contract Details  

• Permanent 1 FTE contract  
• To start 01 September 2026 

Ready to make a whole‑school impact and lead inclusion at the highest level? 

Take the next step and apply now to join our committed team at Carleton High School. Submit your application form through our website.   

Carleton High School 

Carleton High School is a warm, welcoming, and high‑performing school with a strong community feel. We have a five‑year track record of exceptional academic outcomes, placing us among the top schools in Wakefield. Our 2024 Ofsted inspection recognised us as “Good Improving”, highlighting the significant progress we continue to make.  

Our culture is built on improving life chances for every student, driven by our core values of respect, responsibility, determination, and excellence. We are proud to offer a modern, multi‑million‑pound building with state‑of‑the‑art facilities—making this an exciting time to join us.  

As part of Pontefract Academies Trust, recently awarded the Trust Value Award for Excellence in the 2025 Edurio Awards, staff wellbeing and satisfaction are central to our work. At Carleton High School, 88% of staff said they would recommend us as a great place to work - well above national benchmarks.  

Staff say:  

This is a very caring place to work… all staff look out for each other.

I feel very lucky that I am part of such a lovely department with so many great people.

For further information about our school, please visit our website. 

What we offer  

Be part of a team that values your wellbeing, development and work–life balance. As a member of our school community, you’ll benefit from:    

• Exciting career and leadership pathways supported by outstanding CPD opportunities 
• Everyday Development (EDD) Framework: A simple, personal and flexible goal-based approach to continuous learning, career growth and wellbeing 
• For the 2025/26 academic year, we have provided staff with three Everyday Development (EDD) days, the next is on Monday 20 July 2026. These development days will offer you self-directed time away from the workplace to recharge and reflect on your personal and career goals   
• Energise and Engage Weeks throughout the year, where no meetings take place. These dedicated weeks prioritise personal professional development, support work-life balance, and allow for an early finish on designated days     
• Generous employer pension (Teachers pension) 
• Laptop 
• Fantastic family friendly policies with a focus on employee work/life balance 
• Cycle to work scheme, Blue Light card, discounted gym membership   
• Free eyecare via Specsavers, childcare vouchers  
• Employee wellbeing programme (including physiotherapy, personal or professional concerns on legal, health, finance, wellbeing, and other matters)  
• Discounts at numerous retailers including O2 
• Free flu vaccinations. 

About Pontefract Academies Trust  

Pontefract Academies Trust is a cross-phase multi-academy trust comprising of nine local schools: seven primary and two secondary, committed to providing the very best education for our children.   

We are also excited to be merging with Ark Schools on 1 September 2026. This partnership will strengthen the support we offer our pupils and staff, while creating new opportunities for collaboration and professional development across both trusts. Please click here to find out more about the Pontefract Academies Trust and Ark Schools merger.   

We are proud of the positive culture across our schools. In the 2025 Edurio Staff Survey, we were ranked in the top 10 trusts nationally for staff satisfaction and received several awards recognising our supportive and values‑driven working environment. Our staff tell us they feel valued, listened to and part of a team that makes a real difference every day.   

We’re excited for the future and hope you’ll consider joining us as we continue to grow. 

Further information and school visits 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact our Headteacher, Mrs Shariff, for an informal conversation about the role.   

Potential candidates are also welcome to visit our school.  This is a great opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff and get a feel for the vibrant community we have built.  We look forward to welcoming you and answering any questions you may have.   

To arrange of either of these please contact recruitment@carletonhigh.patrust.org.uk or call 01977 781555. 

Key dates 

• Application Deadline: 10:00am, Wednesday 15 April 2026 
• Interviews to be held: Wednesday 22 April 2026 
• Start date: Tuesday 01 September 2026  

Application process  

• Complete application form via our website 
• Complete the attached Examination results form that is required for this role.  
• Attach the document in the ‘Additional Information and Documents’ section of your application within SamPeople Recruit   

Important links  

Pontefract Academies Trust Website  

Trust Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028 

Carleton High School 

Contact us 

• Tel: 01977 781555 
• Email: recruitment@carletonhigh.patrust.org.uk 

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.

About Carleton High School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1021 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Carleton High School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/carleton-high-school

Carleton High School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has been named as the most improved school in the North of England, according to the Fairer Secondary Schools Index, published by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. One of our top priorities is to attract exceptional staff to Carleton High School, and we continue to recruit a number of highly gifted employees to join our team.

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