Assistant Headteacher

Assistant Headteacher - Cherry Tree School (Walsall) Independent Special School Contract type: Full Time, Permanent Salary L1 - L5 on the National Teachers' Leadership Scale (dependent on experience) Start Date: 01/09/2026 Cherry Tree School in Walsall is part a rapidly growing group of independent special schools with locations in the West Midlands, Cheshire and the Northwest, providing specialist education and therapeutic support to children and young people, aged 3 to 19, with social, emotional and mental health needs, autism, cognition and learning needs, including severe learning difficulties. About Us At the Hopedale Group, we are passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and understood. Across our family of schools, experienced educators and therapists work together within a therapeutic community model, ensuring each pupil receives personalised provision built around their individual strengths and needs. Our school provides a nurturing, therapeutic and ambitious learning environment where pupils are supported to achieve academically, socially and emotionally. We pride ourselves on creating a culture where relationships matter, staff wellbeing is prioritised, and every child is encouraged to thrive. We are now seeking an exceptional, compassionate and highly motivated Assistant Headteacher to join our school leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional who is passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. Our schools are consistently recognised for high standards, strong outcomes and nurturing environments where pupils grow in confidence, independence and resilience. About the Role As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a central role in promoting the school's vision, ethos and strategic development, while supporting the Head of School in maintaining outstanding standards of behaviour, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing. This role combines leadership, pastoral oversight, statutory responsibilities and direct teaching support. You will lead on pupil reporting and multi-agency communication, build strong relationships with families and professionals, and help ensure every pupil receives the personalised support they need to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Key Responsibilities Leadership and Strategic Support

• Be an active member of the School Leadership Team
• Support the Head of School in the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the school
• Promote the school's values, culture and high expectations for all pupils and staff
• Contribute to whole-school improvement and development planning
Pupil Transition and Multi-Agency Working
• Lead and coordinate effective pupil transitions into and out of the school
• Work collaboratively with parents/carers, social workers, therapists and external agencies
• Chair annual reviews, Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings and multi-agency meetings
• Build strong, trusting relationships with families and professionals to support pupil progress and wellbeing
Behaviour, Safeguarding and Pastoral Support
• Support the maintenance of outstanding standards of behaviour and safety across the school
• Develop, review and quality assure behaviour plans and risk assessments
• Provide guidance and support to staff regarding pupil welfare and behavioural concerns
• Support crisis management and pastoral intervention when required
• Promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation strategies throughout the school
Teaching and Learning
• Deliver high-quality teaching and intervention sessions
• Support pupils with complex SEMH needs and multiple barriers to learning
• Monitor pupil progress and use data effectively to inform interventions
• Support colleagues to provide engaging, inclusive and purposeful learning experiences
• Contribute to curriculum development and personalised learning approaches
Documentation and Quality Assurance
• Lead on statutory and non-statutory reporting
• Prepare and quality assure reports, individual education plans, risk assessments and end-of-year reports
• Maintain accurate pupil records and pen portraits
• Ensure documentation meets regulatory and safeguarding standards
About You We are looking for a resilient and inspiring leader who:
• Has experience working within SEN/SEMH education settings
• Demonstrates outstanding behaviour management and pastoral leadership skills
• Has experience of multi-agency working and leading statutory reviews
• Is highly organised, proactive and solution-focused
• Can build positive relationships with pupils, families, staff and external professionals
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Thrives in a fast-paced and rewarding specialist environment
• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification
Whilst experience working with pupils with complex behavioural, emotional and social needs is essential, we do not require an experienced Assistant Headteacher, as the level of support provided by the leadership team and the proprietors will enable the post holder to develop very quickly. Thus, we welcome applications from ambitious Teachers with middle leadership experience, SENCOs or Heads of Year from Mainstream or Special, Primary or Secondary School settings, who are looking for something different. The recruitment process is about finding the right personality with huge amounts of potential, who will be as excited as we are about developing Cherry Tree School. Why Join Us? At Cherry Tree School, we recognise the importance of supporting and valuing our staff. We are proud to offer a positive working environment with a strong focus on wellbeing, development and teamwork. We can offer you:
• Wonderful, thriving pupils
• A happy, humorous and supportive staff team
• Excellent career progression opportunities
• The National Teachers' Pension
• A high level of support from a very experienced team of leaders, TAs and therapists
• Initial training for aspects of the role with which you are not familiar
• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of pupils and their families
• A comprehensive on-going training package
Employee Benefits Include:
• Life Assurance Cover with Unum (3x annual salary death in service benefit)
• Employee Assistance Programme - Help@Hand by Unum
• Blue Light Card membership
• Free confidential support from our in-house Therapy Team
• Annual Staff Wellbeing Day
• Monthly Wellbeing Breakfasts
• Free school meals
• Free staff uniform
• Free flu vaccinations
• Comprehensive ongoing CPD and leadership development
• Teachers' pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Optional healthcare and wellbeing benefits including:
+ Critical illness cover + Dental insurance + Health cash plan Most importantly, you will join a caring and dedicated team where your contribution truly matters and where you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to children's lives every day. Safeguarding Statement Cherry Tree School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to rigorous safeguarding and recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. How to Apply If you are passionate about inclusive education and ready to take the next step in your leadership career, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application and supporting statement detailing your suitability for the role.

We are now seeking an exceptional, compassionate and highly motivated Assistant Headteacher to join our school leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional who is passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs., We are looking for a resilient and inspiring leader who:
• Has experience working within SEN/SEMH education settings
• Demonstrates outstanding behaviour management and pastoral leadership skills
• Has experience of multi-agency working and leading statutory reviews
• Is highly organised, proactive and solution-focused
• Can build positive relationships with pupils, families, staff and external professionals
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Thrives in a fast-paced and rewarding specialist environment
• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification
Whilst experience working with pupils with complex behavioural, emotional and social needs is essential, we do not require an experienced Assistant Headteacher, as the level of support provided by the leadership team and the proprietors will enable the post holder to develop very quickly. Thus, we welcome applications from ambitious Teachers with middle leadership experience, SENCOs or Heads of Year from Mainstream or Special, Primary or Secondary School settings, who are looking for something different. The recruitment process is about finding the right personality with huge amounts of potential, who will be as excited as we are about developing Cherry Tree School.

Cherry Tree School in Walsall is part a rapidly growing group of independent special schools with locations in the West Midlands, Cheshire and the Northwest, providing specialist education and therapeutic support to children and young people, aged 3 to 19, with social, emotional and mental health needs, autism, cognition and learning needs, including severe learning difficulties., At the Hopedale Group, we are passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and understood. Across our family of schools, experienced educators and therapists work together within a therapeutic community model, ensuring each pupil receives personalised provision built around their individual strengths and needs.

We can offer you:
• Wonderful, thriving pupils
• A happy, humorous and supportive staff team
• Excellent career progression opportunities
• The National Teachers' Pension
• A high level of support from a very experienced team of leaders, TAs and therapists
• Initial training for aspects of the role with which you are not familiar
• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of pupils and their families
• A comprehensive on-going training package
Employee Benefits Include:
• Life Assurance Cover with Unum (3x annual salary death in service benefit)
• Employee Assistance Programme - Help@Hand by Unum
• Blue Light Card membership
• Free confidential support from our in-house Therapy Team
• Annual Staff Wellbeing Day
• Monthly Wellbeing Breakfasts
• Free school meals
• Free staff uniform
• Free flu vaccinations
• Comprehensive ongoing CPD and leadership development
• Teachers' pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Optional healthcare and wellbeing benefits including:
+ Critical illness cover + Dental insurance + Health cash plan Most importantly, you will join a caring and dedicated team where your contribution truly matters and where you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to children's lives every day. Safeguarding Statement Cherry Tree School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to rigorous safeguarding and recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.