We are looking to appoint a dynamic and visionary Deputy Headteacher with SENCO responsibilities to join our passionate and experienced senior leadership team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a inspirational leader to shape the future vision of our school, champion inclusive education and make a meaningful impact on pupils with special educational needs. 

Your opportunity

As Deputy Headteacher with SENCO, you will play a key role in leading school-wide initiatives while ensuring outstanding support for pupils with SEND. You will work closely with the Headteacher and leadership team to drive school improvement, enhance teaching and learning, and promote an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students.

It is an essential requirement of this post for the successful candidate to hold a NASENCO qualification.

What we are looking for:

• An inspirational practitioner, with the vision and confidence to motivate, challenge and support
• A passion for children’s learning and welfare; putting them first in everything they do
• A team player, enthusiastic and eager to make a difference as a school leader.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a range of audiences
• Committed to developing and maintaining good relationships with staff, parents, pupils, governors and the community

To review the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role, please download the Job Pack below.

About Hammond and Lightwater Schools

Both schools stand at the heart of the village community of Lightwater. They offer an outstanding start to education for children from Nursery to Year 6, consistently achieving excellence, yet also engaging children in imaginative and exciting curriculum whereby learning comes alive.

The schools sit within a newly established cluster of schools, overseen by a Regional Director. Along with Lightwater Village School and Hammond Junior School, the cluster includes the following other schools; Springfield, Cordwalles, Pine Ridge and Lorraine.

This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across this cluster, to share expertise and experience, ensuring all children in our schools receive an excellent education and reach their potential. It also provides opportunities for career progression across the cluster and gives you the chance to further your professional development.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 17,000 pupils
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity, and Kindness
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

Our Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access to our highly competitive Teachers Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

The Details:

Start Date: September 2025 

Contract Type: Full Time - Permanent

Pay Scale: GLF Leadership 7-11

Closing Date: Friday 18th April at 9.30am  

Interview Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025

Visits to view the school before application are encouraged, we would love to meet you and so would the children. Please contact the school office to arrange an appointment. 

GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.