Head of Post 16 Department

26 Sep 2025

Hours: Full Time
Contract: Permanent, required from 1 January 2026, sooner if possible
Salary: MPS/UPS, SEN Allowance £2,787 pa and TLR2a £3,527

Ravenswood School is an all-age Special School for children with complex needs and SLD; many pupils have autism, ADHD or attachment disorder. In June 2023, Ofsted confirmed that Ravenswood continues to be a good school which is inclusive and has high aspirations for all its pupils.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed, and exceptional Middle Leader to effectively lead and manage the teaching and learning of our p-16 students, with complex needs.

Our p-16 department has approximately 25-30 students on-roll and the school aims for all pupils to leave us with the skills they need to keep safe, happy and prepared for their next steps/ adulthood. This may be college, employment, independent living or developing their hobbies and interests. The Post 16 Head of Department will be intrinsic in ensuring the curriculum and delivery is well suited to pupils gaining meaningful experiences and developing and learning to apply the skills required to achieve their goals.

Ofsted commented that ‘Pupils in the post-16 classes benefit from structured career advice alongside a transition curriculum involving local colleges. This helps pupils and their families to plan for the future. Consequently, when leaving Ravenswood, pupils successfully move on to further education, training or employment… Leaders seek every opportunity to enhance learning. Older pupils help to run an on-site kitchen and a pop-up shop.’ (Ofsted, 2023).

We are seeing to appoint a Head of Department with excellent teaching skills, who can build an effective team who are all committed to raising student achievement and preparing young people for adulthood.

Do you have:
• Evidence of highly effective teaching students with complex special needs?
• Experience in supporting colleagues to develop their knowledge and skills and ensure school teaching strategies are followed?
• Experience in monitoring the work of colleagues, giving feedback and support to help them improve?
• Experience in school development projects to improve provision for students?
• Effective communication skills to work as part of a team and to keep parents informed of their child’s progress?
• Knowledge and understanding of developing study programmes for p-16 students, which guide them along their individual pathways to adulthood?

This position, may be the job for you. In return we offer:
• Highly supportive colleagues who work well together
• An opportunity to work with Senior Leaders in the strategic development of p-16 department.
• Clear guidance on school teaching, assessment and reporting strategies
• A commitment to your professional development
• Inspirational students who enjoy their learning.

Ravenswood School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and social media checks.

For further details please see the job description and person specification below. To apply for this position please complete and return a Teacher application form from the links below.

Closing Date: Friday 10th October 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday 15th October 2025

Job Description