Deputy Head Teacher

Hours: 35 hours per week
Job Ref No: NAS-DHTCL

Who we and our customers are

We are the leading UK charity for around 700,000 people with autism and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. We are proud of the difference we make.

We are a new and forward thinking Autism Specific Specialist Free School seeking a Deputy Head Teacher (Vice Principal) who has strong leadership skills coupled with a passion for improving life outcomes for every learner.

Supported by the NAS Academies Trust, we will cater for up to 60 young people aged 4-19 on the autism spectrum who need a specialist environment to make progress in line with their peers. As a part of the new NASAT, we are developing significant professional and working partnerships with the already established Independent NAS schools drawing on knowledge and expertise through professional working relationships to ensure best practise is shared.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of establishing the new school and as Deputy Head teacher, you will be working closely with the Principal and the Local Governing Body and be a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team. There will be significant emphasis placed on leading the school though pre and post opening inspection, supporting the team through strategic as well as operational development and to ensure the highest outcomes are achieved through the inspection process. We expect the school to have a phased pupil intake schedule and will be at capacity by the end of the third year of opening. The first small group of young people will join the school in January 2015.

We aim to deliver the highest level of education to ensure the best life chances become a sustainable reality for every young person. Together, we will create a safe, positive and structured environment in which every young person is respected and encouraged to achieve independence (through academic, employment and personal skills development).

Although this post is essentially a full time permanent role, consideration will be given to a secondment opportunity or part time role in the first 9 months.

Who we are looking for
The church Lawton School offers you the opportunity to lead the way in transforming the lives of young people on the autism spectrum and develop a true community school which is linked with, community groups, parents, Local authorities, and other schools in the region.

We want a Deputy Head teacher who can create support the Principal to create a distinctive ethos and philosophy so that from the moment a person enters the building they will know this is a school where pupils are respected, achieve beyond what is expected, are empowered to make positive choices about their own lives and have rich and varied experiences.

To be considered for this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate strong leadership qualities (including those of innovation and vision), as well as demonstrating specialist ASD knowledge (through experience and practice).

How to apply

• To apply for this role, complete an application form by clicking the 'apply now' button or please visit our website http://www.autism.org.uk/jobs
• When completing the supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and highlight any information that shows why you are suitable for the role.
• For more information and an informal conversation about this job please contact Fenella Dowler fenella.dowler@nas.org.uk 07769 925 874 or Ben Higgins ben.higgins@nas.org.uk 07768617190

Closing date: Thursday 7th August 2014, 5 pm
Interview date: Thursday 11th September 2014

The NAS and NAS ACADEMIES TRUST are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Charity number 269425 (England and Wales); SC039427 (Scotland)
NAS ACADEMIES TRUST Company number 7954396 (A charity by statute)

We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Church Lawton School, Church Lawton, Cheshire East