Head of School - Mayfield Chestnut
Mayfield School, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8NH42 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 April 2027
Closing date
3 December 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
22 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 Hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £77,676 - £89,842
Additional allowances
SEN Allowance of £2,885 per year
What skills and experience we're looking for
DEPUTY HEADTEACHER | HEAD OF CHESTNUT
Lead something special. Shape what comes next.
Mayfield School, Torbay Leadership Scale L16–L22 | Full-time | Permanent
Start: April 2027
We are looking for an exceptional, courageous and compassionate school leader to become our next Deputy Headteacher and Head of Chestnut.
This is not simply a Deputy Headteacher role.
It is an opportunity to lead Mayfield Chestnut, our distinctive specialist SEMH provision in Brixham, while playing a significant part in the strategic leadership and future development of Mayfield School.
High expectations. Strong relationships. Life-changing education.
At Chestnut, we work with children whose social, emotional and mental health needs can create significant barriers to learning, attendance, relationships and inclusion.
Our response is calm, relational, trauma-informed and ambitious.
We believe safety, belonging and regulation are the foundations for learning, not alternatives to high expectations.
That means understanding the child behind the behaviour while remaining relentlessly ambitious about what they can learn, achieve and become.
We need a leader who can do both.
Someone who can bring warmth without lowering expectations.
Someone who understands SEMH, trauma, attachment and neurodiversity, but who is equally passionate about excellent teaching, curriculum, progress and outcomes.
Someone who can build a calm and consistent culture, develop excellent staff, make difficult decisions when required and keep children firmly at the centre of them.
And someone ready to think beyond one provision and make a genuine contribution as a Deputy Headteacher of Mayfield School.
You will lead
- the culture, development and day-to-day leadership of Chestnut
- excellent teaching, curriculum, assessment and pupil progress
- safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and pupil pathways
- the development, deployment and professional growth of staff
- strong partnerships with families, schools, the local authority and other agencies
- Mayfield's linked outreach and 6 Day Provision
- significant whole-school priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.
Who are we looking for?
You may already be a successful Deputy Headteacher.
You may be an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Head of Provision or senior leader who is ready for the next step.
What matters most is that you can show that you have made things better for children.
We are particularly interested in leaders who can demonstrate:
✓ successful school or provision improvement ✓ excellent leadership of teaching and curriculum ✓ strong knowledge of SEMH and SEND ✓ rigorous, child-centred safeguarding practice ✓ the ability to inspire, support and challenge adults ✓ confident leadership through complexity and change ✓ excellent communication with families and professionals ✓ ambition for children whose educational journeys have not always been straightforward.
Why Mayfield?
Because this is a role with real purpose and real influence.
You will inherit a distinctive provision with an established relational ethos, but you will also have genuine scope to shape its next chapter.
You will join an experienced senior leadership team, influence practice across Mayfield and work with partners beyond the school to improve opportunities for children across Torbay.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to combine hands-on specialist leadership with genuine whole-school deputy headship.
Come and see us.
Senior leadership appointments are about fit in both directions.
We warmly encourage prospective applicants to visit Chestnut and talk to us before applying.
Come and meet the children and staff. See the provision. Ask difficult questions. Decide whether our values and ambitions match yours.
Please email sheron@mayfieldtorbay.org to arrange a visit
Ready to lead the next chapter?
Deputy Headteacher | Head of Chestnut
Leadership Scale L16–L22 Full-time | Permanent
Starting April 2027
Mayfield Chestnut | Brixham | Torbay
Closing date: Thursday 3rd December Shortlisting: Friday 4th December Interviews: Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December
Apply via Mayfield School's recruitment portal: https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Trust/mayfieldtorbay
Safeguarding
Mayfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to the school's safer recruitment procedures and required pre-employment checks. Shortlisted candidates will be informed that online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.
What the school offers its staff
Why work at Mayfield?
Working at Mayfield School offers a rewarding and enriching experience for educators and staff alike. We foster a nurturing and inclusive environment where every team member is valued and supported. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you have access to continuous learning opportunities, helping you grow and excel in your career.
You’ll be part of a dedicated team that is passionate about making a positive impact on students’ lives, inspiring and guiding them to reach their full potential. Additionally, our school community is vibrant and collaborative, making it a place where your contributions are recognized and celebrated. Join us to be part of a mission-driven institution that truly values education and personal growth.
Watch our video to see what it is like to work at Mayfield: https://mayfieldtorbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/We-Are-Mayfield-30-1-1.mp4
As well as being part of this rewarding environment, Mayfield offers many personal benefits, including:
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
All of our safeguarding and recruitment policies can be found in the following places:
Our school website - www.mayfieldtorbay.org
Our recruitment & application system - mayfieldtorbay.face-ed.co.uk
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)About Mayfield School
- Organisation type
- Special school, ages 2 to 19
- Size
- 304 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Mayfield School website
- Email address
- nlidstone@mayfieldtorbay.org
At Mayfield School in Torquay we have 180 pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties arranged in 19 classes from foundation through to Key Stage 4. We have highly skilled staff and fantastic facilities to support the ongoing development of every pupil’s EHCP need in a safe, nurturing and happy environment.
At Mayfield College in Paignton we have 52 students in Key Stage 4 and 5 with severe and profound learning difficulties. The highly skilled College team provide a holistic programme of study for our young people which utilised challenging, relevant and fun learning experiences whilst supporting individual progression and preparation for adulthood.
At Mayfield Chestnut in Brixham we have 32 Primary aged pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties arranged in 6 classes. Our highly skilled staff support our pupils to maintain academic progress whilst securing attachment and promoting resilience and wellbeing through playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy.
Across our 3 sites we have the firm mission of Learning together to be the best that we can be building on the successes of today for the challenges of tomorrow.
Arranging a visit to Mayfield School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email nlidstone@mayfieldtorbay.org.
School location
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