Deputy Headteacher - Meadowcroft School
Location: Wakefield, WF1 4AD
Contract: Permanent (Term Time Only)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30
Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Start date: June 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available
About the Role
The Deputy Headteacher - Pastoral will provide strategic leadership for pastoral provision, behaviour, and wellbeing across the school. The role is central to embedding a trauma informed and inclusive culture, ensuring that all pupils - particularly those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs - feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Meadowcroft School is an independent specialist day school across four sites in Wakefield, supporting pupils with complex SEMH needs and additional learning difficulties. The school provides a safe, nurturing environment with personalised support, small classes and a broad, balanced curriculum.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead the development and implementation of behaviour, anti bullying and inclusion strategies, ensuring they are consistent, relational and effective.
- Chair Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings and oversee SEMH tracking and intervention planning.
- Embed a whole school trauma informed ethos and drive inclusive practices where diversity is respected and celebrated.
- Lead a relational, restorative behaviour approach, developing systems that promote regulation, accountability and positive relationships.
- Drive proactive strategies around bullying, discrimination and racism.
- Monitor pastoral practice through learning walks, data and case reviews.
- Co coach and develop staff to deliver exceptional pastoral care.
- Work closely with the DSL to ensure pupils feel safe, heard and supported.
- Oversee daily cover, transport arrangements and (initially) examinations.
- Contribute to whole school improvement and leadership.
What We're Looking For
- Qualifications
- QTS with senior leadership experience.
- Strong SEMH and trauma informed knowledge.
- Experience leading behaviour/pastoral systems.
- Skilled in multi agency working.
- Organised, analytical, values driven.
- NPQSL/NPQH (or equivalent).
- Specialist/AP setting experience.
- MDT chairing experience.
- Behaviour tracking systems knowledge.
- Commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.
Why Join Us?
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions.
- "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
Company Statement
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
