Package Description

Assistant Headteacher – Knutsford, Cheshire WA15 0QH

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 | Full Time (40 hours/week)

Purpose of Role

To lead and develop the school’s behaviour management, attendance strategies, personal development programmes, and pupil wellbeing initiatives. The Assistant Headteacher will ensure a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment that supports pupils’ social, emotional, and behavioural needs, reflecting the trauma-informed, therapeutic ethos of Keys Group and embodying the EPIC values. This role demands modelling the highest standards of professional conduct as set out in the Staff Code of Conduct.

About Acorns Ashley:

I am delighted to welcome you to Acorns Ashley School. The provision is a co-educational school and provides a supportive and personalised education programme for pupils aged between 5-17. The school caters for pupils with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour. The school supports pupils with social, emotional and mental wellbeing needs.

Additionally, many of our pupils present with significant social and communication difficulties influenced by trauma or complex emotional difficulties. The school prides itself on providing specialised interventions than those provided in a mainstream school.

Key Responsibilities:

• Foster a school culture that promotes inclusion, respect, resilience, and high expectations for behaviour and personal development
• Work collaboratively with staff, pupils, families, and external agencies to create a trauma-informed and therapeutic environment
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of behaviour policies, attendance strategies and school’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures
• Manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and allegations promptly and in line with statutory guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025).
• Use positive reinforcement, early intervention, and restorative approaches to support pupil behaviour and reduce exclusions
• Monitor and analyse behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and inform targeted support
• Support staff training on behaviour management, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice
• Develop and oversee programmes that promote pupils’ social, emotional, and mental health wellbeing
• Coordinate pastoral care systems and interventions to support vulnerable pupils and promote resilience
• Lead on safeguarding initiatives related to behaviour and wellbeing, liaising with the wider Safeguarding Team
• Maintain accurate records related to behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding concerns
• Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards and all relevant health and safety regulations
• Provide training, coaching, and support for staff in behaviour management, attendance, and pastoral care
• Contribute to budget planning for pastoral care, behaviour support, and attendance-related resources

Requirements:

• Have a proven track record of school improvement and pastoral care
• Are currently working as a Senior Leader looking for their next challenge
• Have extensive understanding of the OFSTED framework and independent school standards
• Can demonstrate leadership on safeguarding and staff management
• Are leaders in behaviour management and can implement good behaviour standards across the whole school setting
• Have a thorough understanding of the SEND code of practice and supporting students with SEND
• Can evidence a working understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education 
• Holder of QTS/QTLS is a requirement of this post 

Benefits of Joining Keys Group:

• NEST enhanced pension scheme
• Staff Referral Scheme – Refer a friend to join Keys Group and split a £500 referral bonus between you
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to a blue light discount card 
• Fully funded training and qualifications for all colleagues
• Enhanced pay scales based on experience and qualifications
• Employee benefits scheme such as wellbeing app and a range of discounts  
• Life assurance

Commitment to Equality and Armed Forces Covenant

Keys Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including veterans and military families, through our Armed Forces Covenant. Eligible service personnel and veterans are guaranteed an interview when their military experience is detailed in their CV. We provide veteran-friendly policies, peer support, and military awareness training.

Safeguarding
 We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts require an enhanced DBS check.

More can be found about Keys Group and our Therapeutic Education Services here

School tours are highly welcomed as a part of our interview selection process.

Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications. 

EDULEAD

Keys Group