Head of School, Satellite Provision, Bedelsford School

Salary: Leadership Group Spine Point 12-L16 - £69,238 - £76,108

Location: Bedelsford School, The Chaucer Centre, Canterbury Road, Morden SM4 6PX

Working Pattern: Full time, Permanent

Start date: September 2025 or earlier if feasible

Bedelsford School is an Outstanding special school that currently provides for pupils and students from the ages of 4 to19 in Kingston and is part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT), a Specialist Multi Academy Trust.

OHC&AT will be opening a new free school on behalf of Merton Council in approximately 2027. Before the new Free School opens, a temporary satellite provision attached to Bedelsford school will open in The Chaucer Centre in Morden from September 2025. It is expected that the pupils and staff based at the satellite provision will transfer to the new Free School once it opens, and the Head of School at the satellite provision would be encouraged to apply for the position of Principal at the new Free School.

This Centre would have capacity to meet the demand for 40 places in the first year with the potential to increase up to 80 children over a three-year period. The provision would be for children who have a range of moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs. This is likely to include Speech Language and Communication Needs and may also include Autism Spectrum Conditions and other associated areas of need.

We are seeking a Head of School to lead and manage this exciting new Satellite Provision. As Head of School, you will shape and deliver a nurturing and inspiring learning environment that meets the needs of pupils with a range of SEND. This is an opportunity to build and lead a dedicated team, establish high standards of teaching and learning, and collaborate closely with families, the local authority, and other stakeholders. Once the new Free School opens, the successful candidate for the Satellite Provision role will be highly encouraged to apply for the Principal position.

Key Responsibilities:

• To be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Satellite Provision, ensuring that a high-quality educational environment for pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs as their primary SEN need, which will include pupils with Autism Spectrum Conditions, is created, developed, and maintained
• To be responsible for ensuring that the vision and ethos at the satellite provision is aligned with the vision and ethos of Bedelsford school and of OHCAT
• To play a full and active role in supporting and promoting every aspect of the life of the satellite provision as well as the wider school
• To accept the collective responsibility of the SLT and respect its confidentiality as required
• To share in the corporate responsibility for the wellbeing and pastoral care of all pupils

Requirements:

·        Qualified Teacher Status (or QTS anticipated or GTP place secured)

·        Additional qualification and/or training in relevant fields of SEN

·        Recent experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs within a school setting (minimum of 3 years)

Rewards & Benefits:

·        Enhanced parental leave schemes

·        Cycle to work scheme

·        Season ticket loans

·        Employee referral scheme

·        Membership to Discounts for Teachers (Teachers only)

·        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.

Our Trust

The Satellite Provision will be part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity or visit The Chaucer Centre before or after submitting an application form, please email Emmet Murphy at emurphy@bedelsfordschool.org.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact emurphy@bedelsfordschool.org.

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: 10th January 2025

Interviews will take place on: W/C 20th January 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.