Deputy Headteacher and Sendco - Fixed Term - Special Needs Position

Saltwood CEP School, Hythe

• Ref:KCC886-3350-145L
• Posted:16/09/2025
• Pay:Leadership Scale L1- L6 + SEN Allowance
• Start Date:January 2026
• App Close Date:02/10/2025 at 12:00
• Interviews:15th October 2025

Advert

The Governors of Saltwood Primary School are looking to appoint a Deputy Head Teacher and SENDCo to join our new leadership team in January 2026.

This is an exciting opportunity for an SEN specialist, looking to take their next step into school leadership.

Saltwood is a one form entry, Voluntary Aided, Church of England Primary school situated near the coastal town of Hythe in a supportive and vibrant village community. The school is Federated with Bodsham Church of England Primary school and both schools are in the process of converting to academy status by becoming part of Our Community Multi Academy Trust (OCMAT) in 2026.

Our new Deputy Head Teacher will:

• Be committed to the well-being and development of children and families.
• Be friendly, outgoing and keen to develop our school’s role in the local community.
• Have completed the National Award for SEN Coordination (or be willing to complete within 3 years)
• Support teachers and teaching assistants to deliver the Mainstream Core Standards in every class
• Be keen to learn and develop themselves as well as others.
• Be prepared to act as school leader if the Headteacher is absent.
• Be able to demonstrate highly effective communication skills, recognising the need to provide support for staff, as well as children and parents.
• Support and model our Federation’s Christian values, using kindness and love as guiding principles
• Be organised and efficient with a pro-active approach to problem solving.
• Possess a good sense of humour (essential!)

We offer a friendly and welcoming working environment, with experienced staff who are highly committed to the school and our community. The school was judged as Good with Outstanding Personal Development by Ofsted in May 2022 and received a glowing SIAMs report in November 2024. You will be joining our team as both schools move into an exciting phase of development and new collaborations. You will have the opportunity to help lead significant change and forge links with other schools in OCMAT.

Our children are happy and well behaved. Their interest in learning is high which enables teachers to deliver interesting and effective lessons. Our parents are engaged and supportive, with excellent uptake of all the opportunities we offer to involve them in the life of the school. Our Governors are committed and effective and keen to ensure the wellbeing of staff is always a high priority.

This role is for a fixed term of one year in the first instance. Governors anticipate the position will become permanent after that time.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. Please contact enquiries@saltwood.kent.sch.uk to arrange an appointment.

Information about the school

The Federation of Saltwood and Bodsham Schools is a successful and longstanding collaboration between two high performing Church of England Primary Schools located in areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of Kent. Both schools were rated as Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted in 2022 and both schools have excellent SIAMs reports following their most recent church inspections.

Saltwood School is a popular one form entry school situated in the pretty village of Saltwood just outside Hythe in Kent. With around 210 children on role, the school offers a friendly and welcoming approach to all families. The school benefits from a well resourced site with large grounds and access to local resources such as Brockhill Country Park and Hythe Beach. The school prides itself on its links with the community and children regularly visit care homes and support local charities.

Bodsham School is a small rural school set in the heart of the beautiful Kentish countryside near to Wye. There are 70 pupils on roll currently arranged in four classes. The school has a genuine family ethos and there is strong support from our community of parents and carers. Children receive a rich and varied education in our lovely grounds and we use the school minibus to help children experience trips to local sites of interest.

All staff in our Federation benefit from sharing staff development events, having regular opportunities for collaboration in areas such as moderation and planning and accessing the support and resources that both schools can provide. We are supported by a single dedicated Governing Body who work tirelessly to ensure our children receive the best education possible.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mr Paul Newton
• Address:Grange Road, Saltwood, Hythe, Kent, CT21 4QS
• Telephone: (01303) 266058
• Email: headteacher@saltwood.kent.sch.uk

Fax: (01303 264899)

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description
• Person Specification