Deputy Headteacher - Primary SEMH

Parker Smith Inclusion; London; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job description

Deputy Headteacher – Lead with Compassion in a Nurture-Based SEMH Setting

Location: East London

Starting salary: Leadership Scale (dependent on experience) £62,148 - £67,363 per annum

Contract Type: Temporary to Permanent

Start Date: Immediate

You’re a strong, compassionate leader with a deep understanding of behaviour, inclusion, and the unique needs of vulnerable children. You’ve developed expertise in primary teaching and curriculum leadership and now, you’re looking for a role where your approach will be valued, and your presence will shape the future of an entire school community.

This Deputy Headteacher opportunity offers you the chance to step into a well-established therapeutic SEMH and ASC primary setting where nurture, care, and consistency are the foundation of everything they do.

The Role

Working alongside a highly respected and long-standing Headteacher, you’ll provide leadership across the school with a focus on primary curriculum, teaching and learning, and behavioural and emotional development. This school offers a genuinely therapeutic model, rooted in relational practice, and is known for its holistic support for children with SEMH and autism. You’ll lead with clarity and compassion, building on the strong foundations already in place. This post has come about due to the last DHT moving into a more senior role within the organisation. Due to the immediate need, the senior team is looking to interview at your earliest convenience to start the onboarding process to their permanent SLT.

What you’ll bring:

1. Proven experience in primary curriculum leadership and school improvement
2. Resilience and confidence in supporting children with SEMH, ASC, and complex needs
3. A calm, consistent approach to behaviour and staff development
4. Ability to lead by example and build trust across a multidisciplinary team
5. Experience in a specialist setting is ideal, but mainstream leaders with strong SEND understanding are warmly welcomed

Whether you're an experienced SEND leader or a senior leader in a mainstream setting with significant SEMH exposure, this role offers the rare opportunity to help shape a therapeutic learning environment for children who need consistency, empathy, and leadership that inspires hope. Ready for a role where your leadership truly matters? Let’s talk.

How to Apply

• Respond to this advert
• Call 0203 011 4848
• Or upload your CV via our website

You’ve built skills through challenge. Now’s the time to lead with purpose.