Deputy Manager – Alternative Education Salary: £38,613.12 - £43,459.41- Grade 6 Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm) - Full Time (52 weeks) Reports to: Head of Alternative Education Location: Petty Pool College, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2DR DBS: Purpose of Role The Deputy Manager will play a pivotal leadership role in launching and embedding Petty Pool’s new Alternative Education and NEET provision, working alongside the Head of Alternative Education to ensure the highest standards of curriculum quality, safeguarding, and learner engagement. This is a hands-on leadership and teaching role for a qualified teacher with strong operational and pastoral experience, ideally from a SEND, SEMH, or alternative provision background. The postholder will oversee daily delivery, coach the teaching team, and deputise for the Head of Alternative Education when required. Key Responsibilities Leadership and Operations * Support the Head of Alternative Education to implement the strategic vision, policies, and procedures of the new provision. * Oversee daily operations including timetabling, attendance, safeguarding, and behaviour management. * Lead teaching, mentoring, and outdoor learning activities to model high-quality practice. * Contribute to the development of referral partnerships with schools and local authorities. * Deputise for the Head in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and safeguarding. Curriculum and Teaching * Design, plan, and deliver engaging and inclusive sessions that meet the needs of learners aged 14–24, including those with EHCPs. * Ensure schemes of learning align with Petty Pool’s “Learning Without Walls” ethos, embedding outdoor and vocational experiences. * Support staff with curriculum planning, differentiation, and assessment for learners with complex needs. * Lead moderation and standardisation of learner work to maintain high assessment standards Safeguarding and Behaviour * Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). * Maintain a culture of safety, respect, and inclusion across all learning environments. * Oversee learner risk assessments, pastoral interventions, and wellbeing reviews. Staff Development and Quality * Line manage and mentor tutors and learner mentors, embedding reflective practice and continuous improvement. * Lead on staff CPD, induction, and performance management. * Contribute to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). Stakeholder Engagement * Liaise with schools, LAs, parents, and external agencies regarding learner progress and reintegration. * Promote Petty Pool’s Alternative Provision at events, panels, and partnership meetings. Person Specification Essential * Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE, Cert Ed, or equivalent Level 5 teaching qualification. * Significant experience teaching and leading in AP, PRU, SEND or SEMH settings. * Strong knowledge of safeguarding, behaviour management, and trauma-informed practice. * Proven ability to line manage, coach, and develop teaching and support staff. * Experience designing or implementing re-engagement or NEET programmes. * Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills. * Commitment to Petty Pool’s values: Brave, Ambitious, Collaborative, Creative. Desirable * Management qualification or leadership training (e.g. NPQLT) * Experience teaching across both KS4 and post-16 * DSL or DDSL training * Experience preparing for Ofsted or quality inspections * Experience embedding outdoor learning within curriculum design