Job Description

Deputy Principal and SENCO

40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Salary: 51,640 - 58,704

In order to be considered for this role, you will need to submit an application through our website - www.rmt.org/jobs

Interviews will be held on Thursday 4th of December 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Principal/SENCO to join the team at our new Ashdown Garden School. The school is aiming to open in 2026 and is based near the Emerson College site, near the beautiful Ashdown Forest and the village of Forest Row.

As a senior leader at the school, your role is to work collaboratively with the Executive Principal and provide exceptional leadership to ensure the school's success and continual improvement. You will maintain the highest standards of learning and achievement in accordance with statutory and Ofsted requirements, and the vision and method (Practical Skills Therapeutic Education) of Ruskin Mill Trust.

Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team you will be shaping the school's future by maintaining and developing a school-wide focus on the pupils' achievements and establishing creative, effective approaches to learning and teaching, responsive to the needs of our student community.

The post holder will contribute to the whole life of the school and further development of our outdoor curriculum, always remembering that our core purpose is to improve the education and the life of the students at the school.

The post holder will act as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), ensuring the identification, assessment, and provision for students with SEND is robust, inclusive, and compliant with the SEND Code of Practice. This includes leading EHCP processes, coordinating multi-agency input, supporting staff development, and promoting inclusive practice across the school.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Full teaching qualification and a willingness to embrace the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education method which is inspired by the insights of Rudolf Steiner Have or willing to work towards National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SEN Coordination or equivalent qualification Experience in SEN education and behaviour management and experience working with the Ofsted framework for assessment and safeguarding Strong understanding of SEN Code of Practice & legislation Have experience in leading teams to work with and provide quality teaching for children with complex social, emotional, behavioural and learning needs The ability to effectively communicate and build productive relationships both internally and externally
Working at Ruskin Mill Trust is incredibly rewarding; we offer competitive salaries and holiday allowances, an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option, a health cash plan and employee assistance programme via Medicash.

In addition, staff receive valuable training opportunities including an in-depth interactive induction to enable our new team members to experience our Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) curriculum and also opportunities for further training and academic research including our own MSc in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education.

Full details of our benefits can be viewed on www.rmt.org/jobs

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Level Disclosure as well as a medical check, references, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the UK.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 51,640.00-58,704.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Cycle to work scheme Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person