What skills and experience we're looking for Location: Cheshire East, UK Salary:£57,137 - £66,368 (L5 – L11) Contract Type:Permanent Education Phases:Primary; Job Roles:Deputy Headteacher; Working Patterns:Full-Time; Application Deadline:Wednesday, 18th February 2026 Visa Sponsorship Available:No Is a Shared Job:No About us Cornerstone Academy is a safe, stimulating place of learning for students who have become disengaged from mainstream education. We are proud to be expanding with a new 48-place specialist provision opening in September 2026 for children aged 7–13 with SEMH needs or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), continuing our ethos of authentic relationships, adaptability, and child-centred practice. What Ofsted Said About Cornerstone Academy “Attending this school is a life-changing experience.” Most pupils arrive having had negative experiences of education, but the care and support provided by staff helps them rebuild trust and transform their attitudes to learning and future life chances. The school has high expectations for every pupil and offers tailored support to meet individual needs. Pupils make significant progress in their social development and behaviour, enabling smooth transitions back to mainstream or specialist settings when appropriate. They benefit from positive relationships with staff, consistent routines, and praise, which help them feel safe, secure, and ready to thrive. The atmosphere is warm, calm, and purposeful. Pupils are supported to understand their emotions and demonstrate positive behaviour in class and around school. Attendance is strong, and pupils look forward to each day—whether learning in class or exploring cultural experiences beyond the classroom. We are proud of our school and encourage applicants to get in touch with any questions or to arrange a visit. Please contact Office Manager Anne Williams by emailingadmin@cornerstoneap.orgin the first instance. Job Description Deputy Headteacher (SENCO) Interview Date – WC 23rd February Closing date – 18th February 2026 Start date: 1st September 2026 Location: Crewe, Cheshire £57,137 - £66,368 (L5 – L11) Cornerstone Academy is an innovative, nurturing school dedicated to transforming lives. We’re excited to open a new specialist setting in Crewe this September for pupils aged 7–13 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). We’re looking for a Deputy Headteacher (SENCO) who is passionate about inclusive education and has a proven track record in school leadership and SEND provision. You’ll bring outstanding classroom practice, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate both staff and students. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic vision of a growing school and make a real difference to children who need it most. Key Priorities Support the strategic vision and direction of the Academy. • Provide strategic leadership and management to staff within the Academy. • Secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the school. • Undertake performance management & line management responsibilities for a group of teachers and other staff in the school. • Deploy staff and resources efficiently and effectively to meet specific objectives in line with school’s strategic plans. • Ensure effective pastoral care and behaviour support throughout the school. • To be responsible for the day to day leadership and management when the Headteacher is not in the Academy. Teaching and Learning The Deputy Headteacher will help secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the Academy, monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of students’ achievement, using benchmarks to track and set targets for improvements. They will: • Contribute to the teaching throughout the school as and when required. • Support and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning, and high standards of achievement. • Help organise the curriculum and its assessment; work with the Headteacher to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement. • Ensure that the curriculum and assessments meet National Curriculum requirements. • Ensure that improvements in literacy, numeracy and information technology are priority targets for all students. • Leading and Managing Staff The Deputy Headteacher of Cornerstone Academy will motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to help secure improvement. They will: • Maximise the contribution of staff to improving the quality of education provided and the standards achieved and ensure that constructive working relationships are formed between staff and students in Cornerstone Academy. • Ensure that equal opportunities and inclusion policies are reflected in practice. • Work with the Headteacher to implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal, threshold, and targets for teachers, including targets relating to professional practice and students’ progress and achievement • Specifically motivate and enable all staff in Cornerstone Academy to carry out their respective roles to the highest standard, through high quality continuing professional development based on assessment of needs • Lead, support, and co-ordinate the provision of high-quality professional development • Sustain your own motivation and that of other staff • Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Teachers Partnership Working Support in establishing a culture and curriculum which fulfils the aims and requirements of the wider community as set out in the vision. • Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, businesses and other organisations into The Academy to enrich student experience and to promote The Academy’s value to the wider community. • Collaborate with local schools, the local authority and other agencies to promote the academic spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families. • Represent the Academy at relevant meetings, as and when required • Health and Safety / Child Protection • To help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that members of the staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others • To help ensure that child protection and safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of children in need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration • To promote the safety and well-being of students and staff • To ensure good order and discipline of students and staff Desired Criteria Qualifications and Experience Recognised qualification in Leadership(e.g.NPQSL / NPQH) Behaviour Teaching and learning or curriculum SEND (e.g.SEMH, ASD) Literacy Specialism Experience Involved inthe implementation of thenew National Curriculum Experience of leading Personal, Social Development (PSD) projects Experience of leading and raising standards in Literacy across the whole school. Experience of leading outstanding teaching and learning provision and policy across the school. Experience supporting students with SEMHneeds. Experience of supporting neurodivergent learners, such as those with ASD / ADHD Teaching Experience Evidence of having led whole school learning and teaching strategy and policy Demonstration ofhigh expectations Success with students who are below expected levels Professional Skills/Personal Skills Coaching and/or mentoring Able to effectively resolve personnel issues Knowledge and Understanding Knowledge and experience of current good practice and developmentin special education provision Knowledge of successful practice in teaching‘hard to reach’students. Knowledge of how to promote independence foryoung people with complex needs Positive approaches tobehaviourmanagement Mental Health Awarenessor other Mental Health training Training in ASD, ADHD, SLCN. Knowledge of neurodivergence and experience of adapting teaching and learning to meet a wide variety of learner needs Experience of using an evidence-based approach Strengthening Community Work in the wider community. Prepare to contribute to the school in avariety ofdifferentways Essential Criteria Qualifications and Experience Qualified Teacher Status A degree or equivalent Evidence of further professional development Experience AsaLeader Leading and managing a team or department Minimum of 3 years school leadership experience Working alongsideother school(s)and professional(s)to ensure robust moderation and sharing of good practice. Demonstrate and lead on outstanding classroom practice Using class support strategies andmonitoringthe impact. Managing and deploying staff, including providing support and challenge Analysis of data for impact and to target support areas. Rigorous tracking providing detailed andaccurateinformation to underpin and ensure a plannedprogrammeof professional development for all staff, ensuring they meet the needs of individual students Inspiringstaff to promote a love of learning to all students including those who struggle with formal education Writing,implementingand reviewing whole school policies Teaching Experience Proven ability to: Set high expectation which inspire,motivateand challengestudents Promotegood progressand outcomes bystudents Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge Plan and teach well-structured lessons Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of allstudents Makeaccurateand productive use ofassessment Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment Fulfil wider professional responsibilities Communicate and work effectively in a multi-disciplinary school team including parents/guardians and other external agencies. Commitment to school-wide focus onstudent attainment Professional Skills/Personal Skills Proven ability to: Inspire others with confidence Communicate effectively to groups and individuals, orally and in writing Resolve conflict through active listening and negotiation Demonstrate a flexible approach and a willingness to listen to others Provide advice and guidance to parents andcarersin a positive and clear manner Remain calm when working under pressure Be dynamic and solution focused when facing challenges Commitment to one’s own continuing professional development Ability to work as part of a team Ability to make decisions and set priorities Able to gain andmaintainthe confidence and respect of colleagues, students, parents and multi professionals Have energy,perseveranceand a positive mindset Be confident and enthusiastic Be reliable and have integrity Evidence of: Successful multi-agency and partnership working Training and understanding of child protection Leadership & Management Evidence of successful experience in a middle or senior leadership and management role Evidence of successful experience in developing initiatives and managing change Evidence of effective contribution to the School Development Plan Evidence of effective delegation to staff and effective follow-up to ensure tasks are complete to a high standard Ability to analyse situations, prioritise and help to implement realistic solutions Ability toestablishand develop good relationships with all involved in the school. Commitment to the school’s wider community. Knowledge and Understanding Demonstratea good leveland understanding of ICT Knowledge of how to deal with safeguarding issues in school. Knowledge of OFSTED Framework Thorough knowledge of current educational issues, including SEN legislation, guidance, code of practice and developments; safeguarding guidance Awareness of current developments in education and the implications of these Understand planning of the National Curriculumand its application in a school, including assessment,recordingand reporting Know how to use a school’s data toidentifystrengths and areas of development Positivebehaviourmanagement techniques for groups and individuals, including those with SEMH needs Know how to develop effective rapport withstudents, this being based onhigh expectationsandestablishapurposeful learning environment Shaping the Future /Philosophy Demonstrate and communicateclear vision Expectation of high achievement of allstudents Understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity Respect forstudents’ individual difference Commitment to parental partnership in education and developing links betweenschool,homeand the community Securing Accountability Application of the need to delegate responsibility with accountability foranarea(s)of responsibility Communicate to staff teams effectively Strengthening Community An ability toestablishand maintain positive partnerships with parents,studentsand communities Awareness of the need to develop a school culture responsive to the nature of the school’s communities Other Requirements Positive recommendation from present employer Satisfactory attendance record Satisfactory safer recruitment checks What the school offers its staff Benefits • A shorter teaching day • Small class sizes • Fantastic classroom support • Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications. • Specialist training where required • Cycle to work scheme • Flexible and supportive approach to work • Free lunch at school • Free parking (including charging stations on most sites) • Nursery benefits • Education Mutual –private health support- access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help-line, prescription service whenever you need it • Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing Commitment to safeguarding The safe recruitment of staff in the Trust is the first step in the effective safeguarding and promotion of welfare for our children. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers in the Trust to share this commitment. It is recognised that this can only be achieved through sound procedures, good inter-agency co-operation and the recruitment and retention of competent, motivated employees who are suited to, and fulfilled in the roles they undertake. A copy of the Trust’s Safer Recruitment Policy is available on request.