Deputy Headteacher
The Abbey School, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DY8 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
22 April 2026 at 8am
Date listed
14 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- £69,332 - £76,481
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking an exceptional, ambitious and values‑driven leader to join our dedicated and experienced Senior Leadership Team as Deputy Headteacher at our Outstanding secondary special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (MLD).
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader ready to make a significant whole‑school impact, contribute to strategic leadership, and help shape the next phase of the school’s development. The role will particularly appeal to candidates who are aspiring to headship and are keen to develop their leadership experience within a highly supportive and successful environment.
We welcome applications from:
- Experienced leaders from special or mainstream settings
- Primary or secondary specialists with relevant leadership experience
- Candidates with a strong commitment to inclusive practice and SEND
The successful candidate will join a highly skilled, collaborative and committed staff team and will play a key role in driving continued excellence and future development.
What the school offers its staff
Why join us?
- Consistently judged outstanding by Ofsted (2009, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2024)
- A thriving and ambitious school, exceptionally well‑placed to move confidently into its next phase of development, supported by outstanding facilities and a superb, committed staff team.
- Robust support, coaching and development for senior leaders
- A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, with staff voice valued and promoted through an active staff voice group
- Working within a forward‑thinking, values‑driven and highly supportive Trust (WMAT) that invests in leadership development.
- The Abbey Can Offer:
- Amazing students who want to learn
- A consistent approach to behaviour which ensures learning is not disrupted
- An additional 2 days holiday each year with our wellness (long) weekend in November
- Westfield Health Cash Plan
-
https://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual/health-cash-plan
This includes reimbursement towards the cost of dental, opticians, physiotherapy and other medical appointments. Your dependants are included at no extra cost to you!
- Opportunities to collaborate across a range of mainstream and specialist provision schools within the Weydon MAT
- Outstanding, state‑of‑the‑art facilities across the school
- Extensive CPD opportunities that support professional growth in and out of the classroom, including six early closure days, five INSET days, and well‑defined professional learning routes for teachers
- A welcoming and very supportive staff community
- On site car parking
External leadership/NPQ opportunities, including supporting masters’ applications and aspiring senior leader’s development programme
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS, Children’s Barred List and Right to work in the UK checks are required for all posts. further details including relevant policies are available on the school website: https://www.abbey.surrey.sch.uk/1209/key-information/category/42/safeguarding-and-esafety
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 The Abbey School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- School size
- 157 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Abbey School website
- Email address
- recruitment@abbey.wmat.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01252 725059
Located in south Farnham, The Abbey is an outstanding secondary special school with just over 130 students who have learning and additional needs (LAN). About 40% of our students have autism or other social communication difficulties, a quarter have speech and language needs and others have physical challenges or complex health care needs. Expectations for student outcomes are high, but helping them overcome barriers to learning is an equally important part of our role.
The school has been part of the Weydon MAT since 2018. Over the next 2 years The Abbey will be undergoing significant investment as we expand from a 2 to 3 form entry school to support Surrey County Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2020 – 2025.
Our staff are our greatest asset and we are extremely proud of our whole school ethos.
Our 20 teachers and 35 associate staff are highly motivated, mutually supportive and come from all walks of life.
Arranging a visit to The Abbey School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@abbey.wmat.org.uk.
School location
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