Job ID: S-U-4177 - Assistant Headteacher

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to rechargeJob Title: Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning focus)Location: Hazel Cottage School, Clinkham Wood, St Helens, WA11 7APHours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to FridaySalary: £55,000 per annum (not pro rata)Contract: Permanent | Term Time OnlyStart: November 2026UK applicants only – no sponsorship availableAbout the RoleHazel Cottage School is entering an exciting phase of development with the opening of our second site in St Helens. This is a unique opportunity for a unique candidate. We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to work across both our Fazakerley and St Helens sites, leading the improvement of teaching and learning and ensuring every pupil receives an outstanding educational experience.This is predominantly a non-teaching leadership role, offering a rare opportunity to influence practice across two specialist settings. You’ll be at the forefront of developing outstanding pedagogy, coaching and empowering staff, and embedding high-quality teaching approaches that transform outcomes for children and young people with complex SEND needs.If you’re passionate about inclusive education, thrive on developing others and have the vision to drive excellence across a growing specialist provision, we’d love to hear from you. As Assistant Headteacher, your primary focus will be on the quality of teaching and learning across both Hazel Cottage School sites.You’ll work alongside the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers to champion outstanding practice, support curriculum development and ensure all pupils experience engaging, meaningful and personalised learning. You will be confident in coaching teaching staff to improve quality, modelling and demonstrating high-quality teaching, and driving improvements through a sharp focus on pedagogy, evidence-informed practice and continuous professional development.This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of two thriving specialist settings and make a profound difference to the lives of children with Autism and complex needs.What You’ll Be DoingLeading whole-school improvements in the quality of teaching and learning across both sitesCoaching, mentoring and developing teaching staff to deliver exceptional practiceDemonstrating and modelling high-quality teaching and evidence-informed pedagogyDriving teaching and learning improvements through observation, feedback and professional dialogueUsing data, monitoring and evaluation to identify priorities and accelerate pupil progressSupporting the development of high-quality provision across informal, pre-formal and semi-formal pathwaysWorking collaboratively with senior leaders to shape strategic improvement prioritiesPromoting inclusive, trauma-informed and child-centred approaches that enable pupils to thriveEnsuring high expectations, safeguarding and outstanding outcomes remain at the heart of all practiceAbout YouWe’re looking for someone who:Holds QTS and a degree-level qualificationCan demonstrate successful leadership experienceHas substantial experience working with pupils with SENDHas proven ability to influence and improve the quality of teaching and learningHas experience leading professional development and coaching staffIs confident analysing data and using evidence to drive improvementHas excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skillsHas experience working with informal, pre-formal and semi-formal pathwaysHas a strong understanding of supporting pupils with ASC and pre-verbal learnersIs deeply committed to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young peopleHolds a full UK driving licenceAbout UsHazel Cottage is a new school meeting the needs of autistic pupils aged 4 – 11 years