Deputy Headteacher (SEN Specialist)
Start Date: September 2026
Location: Gloucester
The Role: Strategic Leadership with a Person-Centred Heart
Are you an ambitious SEN leader ready to bridge the gap between vision and classroom reality?
Tempest Resourcing is searching for a dynamic, resilient, and forward-thinking Deputy Headteacher to join the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of a specialist school. This is a pivotal role for an educator who excels at operational excellence while maintaining a deep, unwavering commitment to the holistic development of children with SEMH needs.
As Deputy Head, you will be the driving force behind the school’s daily rhythm and long-term improvement, ensuring that every staff member is empowered and every student is safe, challenged, and supported.
Your Strategic Mandate
- Quality of Education: Lead on the development and monitoring of a bespoke, semi-formal, and formal curriculum that meets the high expectations of the specific needs of the student cohort.
- Operational Excellence: Oversee the day-to-day running of the school, including complex timetabling, staff deployment, and resource management.
- Mentorship & CPD: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by coaching middle leaders and delivering high-impact professional development for teaching and support staff.
- Behavior & Attitudes: Lead the school’s positive behavior strategy, ensuring trauma-informed practices and sensory-regulation techniques are embedded across all departments.
- Safeguarding: Act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), maintaining rigorous standards and supporting the wellbeing of the most vulnerable learners.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the school in annual reviews, local authority panels, and multi-agency forums.
The Professional Profile
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): A proven track record of "Strong" teaching practice within an SEN environment.
- Leadership Experience: Current experience as an Assistant Head, Phase Leader, or Senior Middle Leader in a specialist setting.
- Data Literacy: Ability to interpret complex progress data for non-linear learners and translate it into actionable school improvement plans.
- Values-Driven: A leader who leads by example, demonstrating emotional intelligence, physical resilience, and a sense of humor.
- NPQH or NPQSL: Possession of (or working towards) a National Professional Qualification in Leadership is highly desirable.
The Tempest Executive Advantage
At Tempest Resourcing, we treat leadership recruitment with the discretion and detail it deserves:
- Confidential Consultation: A dedicated senior consultant to discuss your career trajectory and school fit.
- Transition Support: Assistance with contract negotiations and handover periods to ensure a smooth start in September.
- Exclusive Access: Visibility of leadership roles that are often not advertised on standard job boards.
Elevate Your Career
If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for special education, we invite you to take the next step in your leadership journey.
To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement highlighting your impact as a leader. For a confidential discussion, please contact Kay Wenham at Tempest Education.
Tempest Resourcing is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and rigorous pre-employment vetting.
INDLON
Pay: £55,880.00-£77,208.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
