St Martins School is a successful Special School for students aged 11 to 19 years, with a range of special educational needs. Our main area of need is Communication and Interaction with a significant number of students with ASD. We are excited to enter a new chapter in our aspirational journey to supporting young people in their exciting steps into adulthood, and therefore we are seeking to recruit an additional Assistant Headteacher to our team.

St Martins shares a site with Noel-Baker Academy in Alvaston, whilst Horizons 6th Form is based in Derby city centre. Our Supported Internship programme for Year 14 students is based at the Royal Derby Hospital and the University of Derby. We received our fourth consecutive 'Outstanding' OFSTED in October 2024 and we continue to aspire to the highest standards for students and our staff team.

We are looking for an exceptional leader with a great track record in school leadership, with high expectations for young people with SEND, to ensure children and young people achieve to the best of their ability and are able to lead a successful future.

Our new dynamic and passionate Assistant Headteacher will lead our Post-16 provision; Horizons Sixth Form in Derby city centre. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual who is committed to making a positive impact to support the growth of provision as well as oversee our Supported Internship programme.

The successful candidate will be committed to ensuring outstanding provision, guiding our students through their Post-16 journey with care and dedication ensuring a joined-up vision with our main school site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage Horizons Sixth Form, operationally and ensuring high-quality education and support for students with special educational needs.
• Develop and implement innovative and personalised curriculum pathways.
• Support the professional development of staff and promote a culture of collaboration.
• Work closely with families, external agencies, local employers, and the wider community to ensure the success of our students.
• Hold pastoral responsibility for Post-16 students, including DSL status.
• Teaching of Post-16 curriculum subjects.
• Lead the Post-16 Faculty, driving forward our already established careers provision and develop this further, ensuring it links to an inspiring, progressive, and challenging curriculum.
• Organise and chair Annual Reviews and lead on Transition in and out of Post-16.
• Oversee the Supported Internship programme and staff team.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Proven experience in leadership, ideally within a special educational needs setting and Post-16.
• A good understanding of Post-16 education and transition planning.
• Passion for supporting young people with complex needs to achieve their full potential.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills.

If you are an inspiring leader ready to take on a key role in Shaping Successful Futures, developing Horizons Sixth Form and our Supported Internship, we would love to hear from you. 

Please contact Victoria Theobald to arrange a tour of Horizons or to discuss the post further (contact details can be found on advert attachment below). We look forward to meeting you.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application form which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

Shaw Education Trust  are a thriving mix of diverse and growing schools including Primary, Secondary and Special Schools all working together to improve the lives of young people in our communities. We are sponsored by Shaw Trust a charity organisation that focuses on transforming lives. We’re a growing group of dynamically awesome academies providing education to children of all ages and abilities. Staff across our team of schools are dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be successful, whatever their starting point in life.

Our Special settings  cater for children and young people with a wide range of Special Educational Needs from children with profound medical needs and life limiting conditions, those with severe, moderate and sensory needs through to young people with social emotional and mental health needs that require support and understanding to help them to navigate their world.

Whether you are a teacher, a teaching assistant, a healthcare professional or work in facilities, admin or operations all our Special Schools offer you the opportunity to work within an establishment that has a ‘family’ feel that puts the children, young people and their families at the heart of what they do.

All the pupils within our Special Schools have an individualised education and are educated in small classes and groups with enhanced support to ensure that all their needs are met. There is nothing more rewarding than being part of a team that supports a child or young person with Special Educational Needs to reach their goals. You truly will make a difference to the life of a young person and their family.

Our schools span from Birmingham to Bury, meaning that we can support students from all walks of life, no matter their background or socioeconomic status. In doing this, we can help ensure all children are able to access a high standard of education, with all being treated equally.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only   based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Electric Car Scheme: Environmentally friendly vehicles with our electric car scheme.
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know  our people  are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the  employment experience  at  Shaw Education Trust  is  a  rewarding  one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:  Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include all of the National Professional Qualifications – NPQH, NPQSL, NPQEYL, NPQLL, NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC are all delivered by the Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. In addition, we provide access to the NPQEL for Executive Leaders.

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Interview date: Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th March