Deputy Headteacher and Head of Chestnut

It is an opportunity to lead Mayfield Chestnut, our distinctive specialist SEMH provision in Brixham, while playing a significant part in the strategic leadership and future development of Mayfield School. High expectations. Strong relationships. Life-changing education. At Chestnut, we work with children whose social, emotional and mental health needs can create significant barriers to learning, attendance, relationships and inclusion. Our response is calm, relational, trauma-informed and ambitious. We believe safety, belonging and regulation are the foundations for learning, not alternatives to high expectations. That means understanding the child behind the behaviour while remaining relentlessly ambitious about what they can learn, achieve and become. We need a leader who can do both. Someone who can bring warmth without lowering expectations. Someone who understands SEMH, trauma, attachment and neurodiversity, but who is equally passionate about excellent teaching, curriculum, progress and outcomes. Someone who can build a calm and consistent culture, develop excellent staff, make difficult decisions when required and keep children firmly at the centre of them. And someone ready to think beyond one provision and make a genuine contribution as a Deputy Headteacher of Mayfield School.

• the culture, development and day-to-day leadership of Chestnut
• excellent teaching, curriculum, assessment and pupil progress
• safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and pupil pathways
• the development, deployment and professional growth of staff
• strong partnerships with families, schools, the local authority and other agencies
• Mayfield's linked outreach and 6 Day Provision
• significant whole-school priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.

Who are we looking for?

You may already be a successful Deputy Headteacher. You may be an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Head of Provision or senior leader who is ready for the next step. What matters most is that you can show that you have made things better for children.

• successful school or provision improvement
• excellent leadership of teaching and curriculum
• strong knowledge of SEMH and SEND
• rigorous, child-centred safeguarding practice
• the ability to inspire, support and challenge adults
• confident leadership through complexity and change
• excellent communication with families and professionals
• ambition for children whose educational journeys have not always been straightforward.