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Orchard Hill

Assistant Head – The Link School – Across All Sites

Please note this vacancy application date has now passed

The Link School specialises in meeting the needs of 160 students from 4-19 with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties including autistic spectrum conditions and Pathological Demand Avoidance. In addition to the Primary and Secondary sites, it also has a satellite provision which provides a safe and nurturing environment for autistic young people who show demand avoidant profiles.

Situated in the London Borough of Sutton all four sites are easily accessible by public transport and well placed to draw upon a wide range of leisure, recreational and educational facilities having easy access to Surrey and London.

The school provides a warm, safe, friendly and nurturing environment, which helps pupils to learn, express their ideas, communicate, develop friendships and grow in confidence and self- esteem.

Staff provide pupils with an outstanding education based on strong practitioner research and the holistic curriculum offer that promotes strong personal and social education as well as cognitive development. It is a rewarding and inspirational place to work. To find out more about us visit www.thelinkschool.co.uk

The Link School is looking for a dynamic, passionate, and dedicated Assistant Headteacher to join our leadership team and play a key role in shaping the future of our provision across all sites.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the development, organisation and implementation of the school’s personalised learning curriculum
  • Be able to support and coach staff to teach well and provide effective learning and assessment opportunities
  • Be responsible for effective behaviour management through promotion of person -centred behaviour management policies
  • Take a lead on managing and supporting the Special Support Assistant contribution to the school
  • Help in maintaining and developing effective communications and links with parents
  • Take a key safeguarding role, ensuring policies and procedures are embedded to promote student wellbeing and act appropriately to protect young people from danger
  • Develop practices that maintain the Health, Safety and Well-being of staff and pupils
  • Have strong, confident, leadership qualities, and a resilient nature

Key Requirements:

  • Qualified Teacher Status
  • Degree or equivalent
  • Experience of successfully teaching students with a wide range of needs in different settings
  • To be able to provide evidence of having delivered effective leadership and management within a school environment

Rewards & Benefits:

  • Enhanced parental leave schemes
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Season ticket loans
  • Employee referral scheme
  • Membership to Discounts for Teachers
  • Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness
  • Comprehensive training and development
  • Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured
  • Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders
  • Scope for career progression across eight college centres, 14 academy schools and shared services team
  • Pension scheme – the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) both of which have life cover and financial protection for your family.

Please click here for the Job description and Person specification providing full details on the role, skills, experience, and knowledge we are looking for.

The Link School is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

How to Apply:

To apply for this role, you must get in touch with Molly King, Recruitment Business Partner at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust – Mollyking@orchardhill.ac.uk

Molly will guide you through the application process and provide you with all the necessary details about the role. Please ensure you make contact as part of your application.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing date:  25th April 2025

Interviews: W/C 5th May 2025

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.