Salary:Leadership Scale. Salary commensurate to experience
Job Type:Full Time - Permanent
Start Date:13 April or 1 September 2026
Location: Sage Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6SW 0118 9421382
We are seeking to appoint a new Deputy Head to start either Easter or September 2026 who can help us maintain and improve our provision.
Brookfields School is part of Ascendancy Partnership Trust, a multi-academy trust with deep community roots across the Berkshire area composed of a family of SEN schools all specialising in supporting pupils with learning difficulties. Brookfields School is an oversubscribed, thriving, vibrant and happy place of learning. We have c230 pupils on roll aged from 3 to 19 who due to their complex needs, require significant specialist support to succeed academically and achieve their full potential.
Our pupils come to Brookfields with diverse needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, and Severe Learning Difficulties. However, despite their individual challenges, we aim to provide outstanding teaching and learning in an environment that enables all pupils to shine and achieve their full potential both academically and through enrichment and life skills development allowing them to lead fulfilling, happy, and as independent a life as possible.
Brookfields School has not been subject to an Ofsted inspection since September 2019, having been in receipt of 4 ‘Outstanding’ judgements in a row. As a new School under the Academies framework, we are due to be inspected within the next 2 years. Gill Barrett, Brookfields School SIP commented in July 2025: “Under the current inspection framework, I could not see a reason why the continued outstanding status would be lost. The leadership team have a very clear view about their individual areas of responsibility and can articulate about the strengths and weakness of their areas of responsibility and what actions they are taking to address any issues.”
Valuing the positives.
Our current Senior Leadership Team are motivated by the idea of facilitating even the smallest of positive changes in the lives of our young people, so we celebrate the little things. We ask our staff team to be curious about our pupils’ behaviour and to support them to develop effective self-regulation. There are inevitably ups and downs, and for some of our pupils, attending school means they have already overcome a huge hurdle. We provide personalised education and learning pathways for all pupils where entitlement, opportunity and challenge are championed. We value and harness everyone’s contribution in our pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work.
We are seeking someone who:
* Can work using the principles of Ethical Leadership The Seven Principles of Public Life - GOV.UK, always promoting psychological safety
* Has in-depth knowledge of SEND, including the latest developments in pedagogy
* Has the proven ability to challenge, empower and nurture staff and pupils, to ensure that the school remains a beacon of exemplary teaching and learning
* Has vision and strategic thinking; the ability, creativity, energy and ambition to plan and lead constructive change whilst retaining all that makes Brookfields outstanding
* Is an effective communicator, with strengths in engaging with, inspiring and motivating pupils, staff, parents/carers, governors, our neighbouring schools and the wider community
* Can translate ideas into realistic projects to facilitate even better outcomes for pupils
* Is friendly, approachable, has a ‘can-do’ attitude and can challenge with humour while delivering outcomes to an exceptional standard
There is flexibility required within the role but if appointed from Easter, in the first instance you would be responsible for the Primary School provision at Brookfields and working with the Curriculum Leads.
What we offer you:
For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with a highly competitive salary. With us you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our pupils – plus you’ll receive:
* Training: A full induction and on the job training
* Progression and opportunity: If you are interested in future career development, for the right candidate, we offer the opportunity to undertake an NPQH or other professional qualification that will benefit you and the school. We have evidence of promotion at every level within the school
* Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
* A generous site in a well-established community location close to the river Thames and the beautiful surrounding countryside
* Relocation package at the discretion of the Governors
You’ll be working with children and young people from 3-19 with either MLD, SLD or PMLD as their primary need. Some pupils have additional needs such as ASD, ADHD, VI, HI, PD, MSI, SLCN. Alongside the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and SLT you’ll set the vision for the future of the school, ensuring we have the right people and plans in place at the right time, so that our young people leaving us are proud of what they’ve achieved. You will need to be resilient and dedicated and facilitating best outcomes through the positive interactions will be something you will be really proud of and will motivate you to achieve.
It can be a challenging journey but working as part of a committed and passionate team, recognising and celebrating the positive steps we see our pupils take will more than make up for it! As a Deputy Head Teacher at Brookfields School, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed, from the other Deputy Head, from the Senior and Extended Leadership Team, and from a range of supporting specialists. Your colleagues aim to be the best at what they do, the school environment is well-resourced, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you to build a rewarding career in leadership.
Our pupils come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs. Our staff team reflect that diversity and we strive continually to engage, encourage and inspire our pupils to be themselves.
We are looking for someone with the following experience:
* Previous teaching experience and have UK Qualified Teacher Status
* Minimum of 2 years leadership and management experience
* Proven drive to raise the quality of teaching and learning
* Understanding of what valued behaviours for learning look like from a Therapeutic Thinking perspective
* Proven effective leadership and coaching skills
* Knowledge of how best to use your interpersonal skills to join, maintain and develop a strong staff team
The current Headteacher, Deputy Head and Leadership Team are supported by a staff team of over 170 staff, comprised of dedicated Teachers and Teaching Assistants, knowledgeable and effective administrative staff, an efficient premises team and a committed network of Governors. Professional growth and career development for all are integral to our vision and values. The new Deputy will support an open and inclusive ethos in a school which has a real understanding of the challenges many of our families face. We work closely with our colleagues within the Ascendancy Partnership Trust and believe firmly that we are, indeed, “...stronger and better together...”
Please contact Nikki Roberts, HR Operations Manager on 0118 9421382 if you wish to discuss the role further or arrange a visit to the school.
How to Apply:
An application pack, including a and person specification, and an application form can be found on our website Brookfields School
Applications should be sent to recruitment@brookfields.w-berks.sch.uk and the closing date is 09.00am on Monday 3 November 2025. Should you have any questions prior to making an application you would be welcome to contact us on the above email address.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Interviews are planned for 26 and 27 January 2026.
Brookfields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening and safer recruitment checks appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, and therefore the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English will be required. Conversing at ease with members of the public (including pupils), providing advice and using any specialist terminology appropriate to the role is essential for the post.