Job Description

Location: Cheshire East, UK

Salary: 57,137 - 66,368 (L5 - L11)

Contract Type: Permanent

Education Phases: Primary;

Job Roles: Deputy Headteacher;

Working Patterns: Full-Time;

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 18th February 2026

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Is a Shared Job: No

About us

Cornerstone Academy is a safe, stimulating place of learning for students who have become disengaged from mainstream education. We are proud to be expanding with a new 48-place specialist provision opening in September 2026 for children aged 7-13 with SEMH needs or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), continuing our ethos of authentic relationships, adaptability, and child-centred practice.

What Ofsted Said About Cornerstone Academy

"Attending this school is a life-changing experience."

Most pupils arrive having had negative experiences of education, but the care and support provided by staff helps them rebuild trust and transform their attitudes to learning and future life chances. The school has high expectations for every pupil and offers tailored support to meet individual needs.

Pupils make significant progress in their social development and behaviour, enabling smooth transitions back to mainstream or specialist settings when appropriate. They benefit from positive relationships with staff, consistent routines, and praise, which help them feel safe, secure, and ready to thrive.

The atmosphere is warm, calm, and purposeful. Pupils are supported to understand their emotions and demonstrate positive behaviour in class and around school. Attendance is strong, and pupils look forward to each day--whether learning in class or exploring cultural experiences beyond the classroom.

We are proud of our school and encourage applicants to get in touch with any questions or to arrange a visit. Please contact Office Manager Anne Williams by emailing admin@cornerstoneap.org in the first instance.

Deputy Headteacher (SENCO)

Interview Date - WC 23rd February

Closing date - 18th February 2026

Start date: 1st September 2026

Location: Crewe, Cheshire

57,137 - 66,368 (L5 - L11)

Cornerstone Academy is an innovative, nurturing school dedicated to transforming lives. We're excited to open a new specialist setting in Crewe this September for pupils aged 7-13 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). We're looking for a Deputy Headteacher (SENCO) who is passionate about inclusive education and has a proven track record in school leadership and SEND provision. You'll bring outstanding classroom practice, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate both staff and students.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic vision of a growing school and make a real difference to children who need it most.

Key Priorities

Support the strategic vision and direction of the Academy.

Provide strategic leadership and management to staff within the Academy.

Secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the school.

Undertake performance management & line management responsibilities for a group of teachers and other staff in the school.

Deploy staff and resources efficiently and effectively to meet specific objectives in line with school's strategic plans.

Ensure effective pastoral care and behaviour support throughout the school.

To be responsible for the day to day leadership and management when the Headteacher is not in the Academy.

Teaching and Learning

The Deputy Headteacher will help secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the Academy, monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of students' achievement, using benchmarks to track and set targets for improvements.

They will:

Contribute to the teaching throughout the school as and when required.

Support and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning, and high standards of achievement.

Help organise the curriculum and its assessment; work with the Headteacher to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement.

Ensure that the curriculum and assessments meet National Curriculum requirements.

Ensure that improvements in literacy, numeracy and information technology are priority targets for all students.

Leading and Managing Staff

The Deputy Headteacher of Cornerstone Academy will motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to help secure improvement.

They will:

Maximise the contribution of staff to improving the quality of education provided and the standards achieved and ensure that constructive working relationships are formed between staff and students in Cornerstone Academy.

Ensure that equal opportunities and inclusion policies are reflected in practice.

Work with the Headteacher to implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal, threshold, and targets for teachers, including targets relating to professional practice and students' progress and achievement

Specifically motivate and enable all staff in Cornerstone Academy to carry out their respective roles to the highest standard, through high quality continuing professional development based on assessment of needs

Lead, support, and co-ordinate the provision of high-quality professional development

Sustain your own motivation and that of other staff

Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Teachers

Partnership Working

Support in establishing a culture and curriculum which fulfils the aims and requirements of the wider community as set out in the vision.

Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, businesses and other organisations into The Academy to enrich student experience and to promote The Academy's value to the wider community.

Collaborate with local schools, the local authority and other agencies to promote the academic spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families.

Represent the Academy at relevant meetings, as and when required

Health and Safety / Child Protection

To help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that members of the staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others

To help ensure that child protection and safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of children in need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration

To promote the safety and well-being of students and staff

To ensure good order and discipline of students and staff

Benefits

A shorter teaching day

Small class sizes

Fantastic classroom support

Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications.

Specialist training where required

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible and supportive approach to work

Free lunch at school

Free parking (including charging stations on most sites)

Nursery benefits

Education Mutual -

private health support

- access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help-line, prescription service whenever you need it

Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Desired Criteria

Qualifications and Experience

Recognised qualification in

Leadership (e.g. NPQSL / NPQH)

Behaviour

Teaching and learning or curriculum

SEND (e.g. SEMH, ASD)

Literacy Specialism

Experience

Involved in the implementation of the new National Curriculum

Experience of leading Personal, Social Development (PSD) projects

Experience of leading and raising standards in Literacy across the whole school.

Experience of leading outstanding teaching and learning provision and policy across the school.

Experience supporting students with SEMH needs.

Experience of supporting neurodivergent learners, such as those with ASD / ADHD

Teaching Experience

Evidence of having led whole school learning and teaching strategy and policy

Demonstration of high expectations

Success with students who are below expected levels

Professional Skills/Personal Skills

Coaching and/or mentoring

Able to effectively resolve personnel issues

Knowledge and Understanding

Knowledge and experience of current good practice and development in special education provision

Knowledge of successful practice in teaching 'hard to reach' students.

Knowledge of how to promote independence for young people with complex needs

Positive approaches to behaviour management

Mental Health Awareness or other Mental Health training

Training in ASD, ADHD, SLCN.

Knowledge of neurodivergence and experience of adapting teaching and learning to meet a wide variety of learner needs

Experience of using an evidence-based approach

Strengthening Community

Work in the wider community.

Prepare to contribute to the school in a variety of different ways

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Experience

Qualified Teacher Status

A degree or equivalent

Evidence of further professional development

Experience

As a Leader

Leading and managing a team or department

Minimum of 3 years school leadership experience

Working alongside other school(s) and professional(s) to ensure robust moderation and sharing of good practice.

Demonstrate and lead on outstanding classroom practice

Using class support strategies and monitoring the impact.

Managing and deploying staff, including providing support and challenge

Analysis of data for impact and to target support areas.

Rigorous tracking providing detailed and accurate information to underpin and ensure a planned programme of professional development for all staff, ensuring they meet the needs of individual students

Inspiring staff to promote a love of learning to all students including those who struggle with formal education

Writing, implementing and reviewing whole school policies

Teaching Experience

Proven ability to:

Set high expectation which inspire, motivate and challenge students

Promote good progress and outcomes by students

Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge

Plan and teach well-structured lessons

Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students

Make accurate and productive use of assessment

Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment

Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

Communicate and work effectively in a multi-disciplinary school team including parents/guardians and other external agencies.

Commitment to school-wide focus on student attainment

Professional Skills/Personal Skills

Proven ability to:

Inspire others with confidence

Communicate effectively to groups and individuals, orally and in writing

Resolve conflict through active listening and negotiation

Demonstrate a flexible approach and a willingness to listen to others

Provide advice and guidance to parents and carers in a positive and clear manner

Remain calm when working under pressure

Be dynamic and solution focused when facing challenges

Commitment to one's own continuing professional development

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to make decisions and set priorities

Able to gain and maintain the confidence and respect of colleagues, students, parents and multi professionals

Have energy, perseverance and a positive mindset

Be confident and enthusiastic

Be reliable and have integrity

Evidence of:

Successful multi-agency and partnership working

Training and understanding of child protection

Leadership & Management

Evidence of successful experience in a middle or senior leadership and management role

Evidence of successful experience in developing initiatives and managing change

Evidence of effective contribution to the School Development Plan

Evidence of effective delegation to staff and effective follow-up to ensure tasks are complete to a high standard

Ability to analyse situations, prioritise and help to implement realistic solutions

Ability to establish and develop good relationships with all involved in the school. Commitment to the school's wider community.

Knowledge and Understanding

Demonstrate a good level and understanding of ICT

Knowledge of how to deal with safeguarding issues in school.

Knowledge of OFSTED Framework

Thorough knowledge of current educational issues, including SEN legislation, guidance, code of practice and developments; safeguarding guidance

Awareness of current developments in education and the implications of these

Understand planning of the National Curriculum and its application in a school, including assessment, recording and reporting

Know how to use a school's data to identify strengths and areas of development

Positive behaviour management techniques for groups and individuals, including those with SEMH needs

Know how to develop effective rapport with students, this being based on high expectations and establish a purposeful learning environment

Shaping the Future /Philosophy

Demonstrate and communicate clear vision

Expectation of high achievement of all students

Understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity

Respect for students' individual difference

Commitment to parental partnership in education and developing links between school, home and the community

Securing Accountability

Application of the need to delegate responsibility with accountability for an area(s) of responsibility

Communicate to staff teams effectively

Strengthening Community

An ability to establish and maintain positive partnerships with parents, students and communities

Awareness of the need to develop a school culture responsive to the nature of the school's communities

Other Requirements

Positive recommendation from present employer

Satisfactory attendance record

Satisfactory safer recruitment checks

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 57,137.00-66,368.00 per year

Work Location: In person