Head of Secondary & Post 16 / Class Teacher

Salary: MPS + TLR 2A ££8,611 + SEN Allowance £2,787 Location: Bedelsford School, Grange Road, KT1 2QZ Working Pattern: Full Time Bedelsford School is an Outstanding special school located in Kingston, providing a nurturing and innovative learning environment for pupils aged 2 to 19. We support a diverse group of students with a wide range of physical disabilities, including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, moderate learning needs, and complex health conditions. The school benefits from specialist facilities including an accessible swimming pool, adapted outdoor play areas and an outdoor learning environment. It is within walking distance of the vibrant town centre of Kingston upon Thames and has excellent transport links. Bedelsford School is committed to evidence-based practice. We draw on the latest developments in neuroscience and educational research to continually enhance the skills of our staff. Every member of our team is trained to understand how each pupil learns uniquely and is supported in delivering tailored teaching strategies that help our students achieve their full potential. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Head of Secondary/Post 16 class teacher to lead our school community to make a profound impact on students’ lives by fostering an environment where their individual needs are met and celebrated. The successful candidate will drive our mission forward, championing a positive culture for students and staff, enhancing educational programs, and working with families, the local community, and external partners. Key Responsibilities: • Lead and manage the Secondary and Sixth Form departments, ensuring the effective day-to-day organisation of staff, resources, timetables, and curriculum delivery. • Drive high-quality teaching and learning by supporting staff to deliver personalised, differentiated programmes that enable students to achieve their full academic, social, emotional, and life skills potential. • Oversee student accreditation pathways, ensuring appropriate qualifications are identified, delivered, and evidenced to maximise student achievement and outcomes. • Lead the school's Careers Education programme, ensuring compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks and supporting students in preparing for adulthood, further education, employment, and independent living. • Build and maintain effective partnerships with parents, external agencies, colleges, supported living providers, and employers to support positive outcomes for students. Key Requirements: • (Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial experience of teaching and leading within a secondary and/or special educational needs (SEND) setting. • Proven leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop staff while working collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team. • Strong knowledge of curriculum planning, assessment, accreditation pathways, and preparing students with additional needs for adulthood and future destinations. • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience of working effectively with families, external professionals, and multi-agency partners. • Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and promoting the wellbeing, personal development, and achievement of all students. • OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees: Rewards & Benefits: • Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. • Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family. • Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme) • Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme • Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more) • Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme) Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about our values, opportunities and the difference our staff make every day. Our Trust: Bedelsford School is part of Orchard Hill College and 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