Deputy Headteacher (with Primary Teaching Responsibility)
Location: Breightmet School, Bolton
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum (Dependent on experience)
Lead, Teach, and Shape a Rising Provision from the Front
At Breightmet Children's Services, we are on an incredibly positive, transformative journey. Located in our modern, rapidly stabilizing independent special school in Bolton, we provide a structured, safe, and nurturing environment for young people aged 5 to 18 with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and complex learning or sensory requirements.
Following a period of major positive change, our school has established clear procedures, a robust trauma-informed behavior strategy, high staff morale, and a brand-new senior leadership team. We are now seeking a dynamic, compassionate, and hands-on Deputy Headteacher who will also act as our Primary Class Teacher. This is a pivotal role where you will directly influence the quality of our early-stage education while taking on vital whole-school leadership duties.
Our Core Commitments
- Inclusion – Creating a flexible, personalized education where every child belongs.
- Stabilisation & Routine – Maintaining a calm, highly structured environment conducive to learning.
- Empowerment – Helping neurodivergent and vulnerable learners realize their own unique potential.
- Trauma-Informed Practice – Balancing academic progress with therapeutic and sensory support.
The Role & Key Responsibilities
This split responsibility allows you to lead by example—modelling exceptional specialist teaching practice in our primary setting while supporting the Headteacher with strategic school improvement.
- Leadership & Deputy Duties: Work directly alongside the Headteacher to maintain rigorous standards of education, safeguarding, and compliance. Step up to lead the school day-to-day in the Headteacher’s absence.
- Primary Classroom Teaching: Take primary ownership of a small, dedicated class of primary-aged learners (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2). Design and deliver creative, highly individualized, and sensory-friendly lessons.
- Curriculum Implementation: Help embed our newly revised, flexible curriculum—ensuring our primary pathways seamlessly integrate speech, language, phonics, and communication interventions.
- Positive Behaviour Support: Model and champion our consistent, reward-based approach to behavior management, keeping detailed records and ensuring a secure, supportive classroom culture.
- Progress Tracking & EHCPs: Establish clear assessment baselines for your primary learners, identify learning gaps, and support the wider staff with annual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews.
About You
We are looking for an outstanding SEND practitioner whose heart lies in primary education, but who possesses the leadership drive to elevate school standards.
- Experience: A strong background in Primary teaching with substantial experience working with children with ASC, SEMH, and complex speech and language needs within a specialist SEND or alternative provision. Middle or senior leadership experience is essential.
- Pedagogical Expertise: Deep understanding of primary curriculum adaptations, early literacy/phonics, sensory learning, and managing flexible pathways (from sensory to formal).
- Leadership Traits: High emotional intelligence, resilience, and excellent organizational skills to balance teaching commitments with senior leadership duties.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is essential.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary package (£45,000 - £50,000) tailored to your dual responsibilities.
- The best of both worlds: the joy of direct classroom teaching combined with strategic senior leadership.
- Extensive professional development, coaching, and a supportive network of clinical and therapeutic experts.
- Small class sizes with exceptionally high staff-to-pupil ratios.
- The opportunity to leave a lasting footprint on a school that is actively building an exceptional future.
To Apply
If you are ready to lead by example and give our younger learners the best possible start in Bolton, we would love to speak with you.
Breightmet Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check and safer recruitment checks will be required for the successful candidate.
Work Location: In person
