Are you a compassionate and driven leader with a passion for supporting autistic young people with complex needs? Do you have the vision, resilience, and commitment to help shape the future of a unique, highly specialist residential setting?
We are seeking a Deputy Headteacher to join our dedicated team, helping to lead a nurturing and inclusive environment where every young person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive. This is a critical and rewarding leadership role with a direct impact on the lives of our young people, their families and the wider school community.
Prior’s Court is an ‘’ (, February 2024) forward-thinking residential special school for autistic children and young people with complex needs, aged 5-25. Each individual young person is at the centre of everything we do and by working as one team across the whole day, we provide a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment where learners are supported to achieve their potential to live lives that are healthy and happy, that become more independent and gain world of work skills to take into adulthood.
Key job information:
Salary
£54,000 - £64,000
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours, 42 weeks (term time) Contract type: Permanent
Closing date for applications: 8th October 2025.
Face-to-face interviews will be conducted on 17th October.
About the Deputy Headteacher role:
The Deputy Headteacher will work alongside the school principal and senior leadership team in defining, articulating and implementing the shared vision to prepare all young people to reach their ambitions for health, happiness, independence, and skills for work through effective communication and engagement with all stakeholders.
It is expected that the deputy head will demonstrate outstanding leadership skills working with the school principal on the implementation of the strategic direction of the school.
1. Lead collaboration across departments to ensure consistency and shared contribution to each young person’s progress
2. Contribute to organisational strategy and the day-to-day delivery of high-quality learning
3. Lead curriculum development in identified areas
4. Lead compliance and quality of EHCPs, including Annual Reviews and multi-agency coordination
5. Coordinate CPD pathways (e.g.,, ) in collaboration with the training team
6. Support the implementation of the organisational strategic plan
7. Monitor assessment strategies and track progress against skills development and individual targets.
8. Line management of staff
9. Maintain and support the school's Outstanding Ofsted rating
10. Ensure learning progress is effectively evidenced and clearly communicated to all stakeholders
See the for further details
What we are looking for:
11. Substantial teaching experience in a SEND or specialist education setting
12. Leadership experience in an education setting
13. Experience of working with autistic young people and/or those with complex needs
14. Qualified Teacher Status ()
15. Strong working knowledge of EHCP requirements, and safeguarding procedures
16. Experience of leading on staff development or mentoring of teachers/support staff
Desirable criteria:
17. Leadership or management qualification (e.g., )
18. Experience working within a residential or multi-disciplinary setting
19. Leadership experience in a SEND or specialist education setting
Benefits
We have a wide range of employee benefits, such as:
20. Comprehensive training opportunities
21. A pension scheme, with a contribution of 5% from Prior’s Court of your basic salary
22. 33 days of holiday per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays
23. 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for advice, information and support
24. Access to our Flexible Employee Benefits and Discount Platform
25. Employee Recognition Schemes,
26. Long Service Awards
27. Free on-site flu vaccinations
28. Electric Car Scheme
29. Employee Health and Wellbeing programme
How to apply
We're excited about the possibility of you joining the team at Prior's Court! To ensure the safety and wellbeing of the young people we support, all offers of employment are subject to the successful completion of pre-employment checks. These include references, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, proof of right to work in the UK, and any other relevant clearances. Once all pre-employment checks are in place we will be able to issue your start date and contract, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout this process.
Please review the application documents below, then. The recruitment team will be in touch within three working days.
Please note: Once you've applied, you'll get an email with some follow-up questions. Please take a moment to answer them, otherwise we will not be able to process your application. Application links: Policies:
Contact us about this role
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All positions at Prior's Court are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, references and receipt of the appropriate Right to Work documents. Prior’s Court Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Prior’s Court is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek and embrace differences in thinking, experience, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, personalities and styles.
The different skills, experiences and backgrounds our employees bring to their roles create a workforce as diverse and individual as the young people we support and makes Prior’s Court a special place to work.
We strive for an inclusive environment where employees feel safe, engaged and supported to make a difference.
Published: 14th August, 2024
Updated: 1st October, 2025
Author: Dan Whiteway
Location: Prior's Court, Prior's Court Road, Hermitage, Thatcham, RG18 9NU
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