Deputy Headteacher - Orchard Manor School (Special Partnership Trust)
- Teignbridge, Devon
- Full Time
- L17 - L20: £76,772 - £82,935
Start Date: 22nd February 2027
Orchard Manor School is seeking an inspirational and highly effective Deputy Headteacher to join our Senior Leadership Team from February 2027. We are a special school with residential provision for pupils aged 4-19 with communication and interaction difficulties, autism and learning needs, located in beautiful woodland grounds in Dawlish.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an ambitious, values-led leader with a strong track record of improving teaching, curriculum and pupil outcomes. A strong understanding of autism, communication and interaction needs, communication delays and child development is essential. You will use this knowledge to ensure that teaching, environments and support respond effectively to pupils’ developmental, sensory and communication profiles. You will share our commitment to keeping every child safe and at the centre of our work, and to providing an inclusive, engaging education that prepares pupils for adulthood.
The Deputy Headteacher will work closely alongside the Headteacher while exercising a high degree of autonomy in leading a team and driving key areas of school improvement. Joining at an exciting point in the school’s development, you will help shape the next phase of our journey by building a culture of high expectations, strong relationships and consistent practice. You will inspire and develop staff, translate strategy into effective implementation, and ensure that pupils experience ambitious learning, meaningful progress, growing independence and a strong sense of belonging.
You will help lead our evolving curriculum across the Explore, Discovery and Investigate pathways. Our pathways match teaching, environments, staffing and resources to how pupils currently access learning, while maintaining high expectations and remaining responsive as needs change. You will also support the implementation of our Curriculum Anchors, which connect EHCP outcomes and Personalised Learning Goals with subject learning, communication, regulation, physical and sensory development, independence and preparation for adulthood. You will champion Total Communication, inclusive teaching, careful assessment and the generalisation of learning across lessons, routines, residential experiences and the wider community.
Please read the attached job description and person specification carefully. In your application, show clearly how your experience, leadership and values meet the requirements of the role, and how you would contribute to an ambitious, coherent and inclusive curriculum across our pathways. Applications should be completed through My New Term and should be accurate, focused and supported by evidence of impact.
We warmly welcome informal visits from prospective applicants. To arrange a visit or request further information, please contact HROMS@orchard-manor.org.
Interviews
The interview process is expected to include a formal panel interview and a presentation or leadership task. Full arrangements will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
Employment duties
The duties are not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake tasks, roles and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to them by the Headteacher.
To be performed in accordance with the provisions of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and within the range of teachers’ duties set out in that document.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We make appointments in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection Policy.
Please complete your application through My New Term mynewterm.com. Recruitment enquiries: HROMS@orchard-manor.org
Interview Date: 10th November 2026 (please expect to be here for the whole day).