Deputy Head of School - Full-time - Special Needs Position

Inspire Academy, Chatham

• Ref:MED887-7000-67L
• Posted:26/02/2026
• Pay:Leadership 13-17
• Start Date:To Be Confirmed
• App Close Date:12/03/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:Week Commencing 16th March 2026

Advert

The Head of School, the Executive Head of Secondary and Specials for Rivermead Inclusive Trust, together with the Local Advisory Board, our dedicated staff team, and the wonderful learners of Inspire Academy, are seeking a compassionate, inspiring and visionary leader who believes wholeheartedly in helping young people become the very best version of themselves.

We are looking for someone who brings not only skill and experience, but genuine warmth, enthusiasm and energy—someone ready to help guide our school confidently into its next exciting chapter. Our learners have a wide range of needs, and we are proud to meet each child exactly where they are. The successful candidate will understand, value and respond to this diversity, ensuring every young person is supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. This role will involve working closely under the guidance and support of the Head of School and the Executive Headteacher for Secondary and Special.

Inspire Academy is a nurturing special school in Chatham, where every pupil has an EHCP and SEMH as their primary need. Our ethos is simple yet powerful: every pupil is recognised, celebrated and supported as an individual. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to craft a curriculum that fits each learner’s needs, empowering them to grow in confidence, resilience and independence throughout their school journey.

We are incredibly proud that Inspire Academy continues to be recognised as a ‘Good School’. Ofsted (2023) highlighted that “Leaders at all levels have thought carefully about exactly what pupils need to learn in order to be ready academically, but also socially and emotionally, for their next steps.” This reflects the heart of who we are.

Our talented teaching team, representing a wide range of specialisms, deliver a rich and thoughtfully adapted curriculum designed to help every learner succeed. Our Year 11 students consistently achieve well in GCSEs and other public examinations, a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of our staff.

Beyond academic achievement, we place great importance on personal growth. Independence, confidence and emotional development are nurtured every day, both within the curriculum and through a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities.

We warmly welcome prospective applicants to come and experience our school community for themselves. To arrange a visit, please contact: Deborah Stammers, HR Officer Tel: 01634 961080 Email: dstammers@r-i-t.org

Rivermead Inclusive Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All post-holders will be subject to an enhanced DBS check

Information about the school

Inspire Academy is a specialist provision for pupils aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, and forms part of The Rivermead Inclusive Trust.

At Inspire Academy, every pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with a primary need of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). We recognise that mainstream schooling isn’t always the best fit for these learners, and we provide an environment where they can thrive. Many of our pupils have faced challenges in their early educational experiences, which may have led to gaps in learning. Our goal is to help them rebuild confidence, re-engage with education, and achieve success. Through personalised support, a nurturing atmosphere, and strategies that promote emotional well-being, we empower pupils to overcome barriers, develop positive relationships, and unlock their full potential.

With small classes and amazing staff that truly understand SEMH we feel that once a pupil starts at Inspire they have every opportunity to reach their potential. Every child has the right to achieve and we believe that every parent and carer has the right to expect that Inspire Academy will do its very best for their child. With this in mind we work closely with parents and carers and other agencies to help each pupil make positive choices and changes which will serve them better in their future.

Our aim is to prepare every pupil for adulthood and to move on successfully to the next stages of their educational journey.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Debbie Stammers, HR Officer
• Address:Silverbank, Churchill Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0LB
• Telephone: 01634 961080
• Email: dstammers@r-i-t.org

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description
• Equality & Diversity Statement