Deputy Headteacher - Full-time - Special Needs Position

Life Skills Enterprise, Margate

• Ref:KCC886-6188-10L
• Posted:10/03/2026
• Pay:£68,068 - £71,329
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:26/04/2026 at 22:00
• Interviews:W/C 4th May

Advert

Life Skills Enterprise School, in Margate, is seeking an experienced, motivated and compassionate Deputy Headteacher to join our leadership team at our independent special school supporting pupils with autism and additional needs.

As we expand further, this is an exciting opportunity for a strong leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for pupils with SEND, and who thrives in a school that prioritises personal development, wellbeing and life skills.

Working closely with the Executive Principal and other senior leaders, the Deputy Headteacher will play a key role in driving school improvement, ensuring high standards of safeguarding and supporting pupils, families and staff to achieve the very best outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Lead Safeguarding as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Support delivery of the School Development Plan and Self Evaluation Form (SEF)
• Lead on Careers, work experience and preparation for adulthood
• Oversee pupil attendance, reduced timetables and pupil wellbeing
• Support Children in Care (CIC) and Children in Need (CIN) provision
• Develop strong family support and outreach relationships
• Coordinate multi-agency work with local authorities and professionals
• Lead on SMSC and personal development across the school
• Support marketing, publicity and website development
• Ensure compliance with Data Protection, Health and Safety and Independent School Standards

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Strong experience working with SEND
• Leadership experience in a school environment
• Excellent safeguarding knowledge
• The ability to build strong relationships with pupils, families and professionals
• A commitment to inclusive, nurturing and aspirational education

What We Offer

• The opportunity to play a key role in a growing specialist school
• A supportive leadership team
• The chance to make a genuine difference to pupils’ lives
• A collaborative and positive working environment

Information about the school

Life Skills Enterprise is a new specialist secondary school for pupils with autism as their primary diagnosis, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Life Skills Enterprise is the partnership school of Life Skills Manor. Both schools offer an holistic, therapeutic approach to education, providing a nurturing environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of its learners.

Our double-stranded curriculum integrates both academic and vocational pathways, enabling students to achieve meaningful qualifications alongside practical life and work-related skills. Therapies and targeted interventions are embedded throughout the school day, supporting emotional regulation, communication, and personal development.

Life Skills Enterprise is committed to preparing pupils for adulthood by fostering independence, confidence, and resilience, equipping each learner with the tools they need for life beyond school.

www.lifeskillsenterprise.co.uk

www.lifeskillsmanor.co.uk

Job Contact Information

• Name:Paul Barrett
• Address:Northdown House, Margate , Kent , CT9 3TP
• Telephone: 01843 260315
• Email: paul@lifeskillsenterprise.co.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Deputy Head Job Description & Spec