Location: Running Deer School is in a rural location on the edge of Dartmoor, approximately 2 miles from Moretonhampstead.
Reporting to: Director of Education (DSL and SENCo)
Salary: £37,000 per annum actual (term time only) based on hours per week
About Running Deer
Running Deer is a not-for-profit organisation, which supports adults and children with learning and mental health difficulties, disabilities, and those not in education, employment or training. We provide access to education, training, volunteering, life skills opportunities, and work experience through a variety of outdoors-oriented projects. These projects include the provision of a registered independent school and interventions programme.
About Running Deer School
Running Deer School is based just outside Moretonhampstead on the eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park. The school provides small, specialist, high-support education provision for local education authorities. Firmly grounded in outdoor education and rural skills, and with a strong focus on core academic achievement, we work with children and young people between 8 and 16 with a range of special educational needs.
Running Deer School is a Trauma Informed School.
Head of School Role and Responsibilities
As the Head of School, you will be responsible for:
• The running of the school on a day-to-day basis
• Working alongside the Director of Education in relation to school strategy
• Working with the Director of Education (and SENCO) to oversee the quality of teaching and learning and ensure the curriculum meets the needs of the students at our school and that we have the right provision in place for our students.
• Undertaking Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities, reporting to the DSL (Director of Education).
• Assisting the Director of Education at a strategic level on the implementation of the School Development Plan
• Observing teaching and monitor student outcomes
• Line managing staff within the school and deal with any HR issues that may arise, share in the appraisal of members of staff
• Working with the Director of Education, plan and deliver inset training and arrange regular staff meetings
• Ensuring the promotion of a positive and innovative learning environment, where learners can reach their full potential, and learning is engaging and challenging.
• Maintaining close communication with parents/carers and provide opportunities for them and other family members to engage in the school
• Ensuring timely registration for academic and vocational qualifications.
• Ensuring records are kept up to date and provide reports to the Governors and Board of Directors as appropriate.
• Teaching across KS2-KS4
You will also be required to:
• Work with the Director of Education, School Governors, and Board of Directors to ensure all policies and procedures are current.
• To ensure that policies, procedures, routines, and rules are properly understood and observed by both students and staff.
• To work with the Health and Safety team to ensure that the school meets H&S requirements
• Work with the Director of Education to support and develop the professional learning programs and development opportunities for staff
• Ensure a positive and supportive model exists for staff assessment and development and develop professional learning and development opportunities for staff.
• Create conditions conducive to team building, staff welfare and pastoral care.
• Any other reasonable duties relating to this post.
We are looking for someone who is:
• A well-grounded inspirational individual with recent leadership experience, excellent leadership skills and line management experience.
• Highly organised with the ability to be adaptable and anticipate a complex changing environment
• A strategic thinker with the ability to analyse, priorities and plan
• Experience of working with digital communications technologies
• Approachable, dynamic, self-motivated, and well organised
• Skilled to generate positive approaches to learning
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written
• Organised, diligent and willing to think creatively
• Modelling high standards of professional behaviour
• A qualified teacher (QTS or QTSL) with
• Experience of teaching children with SEN
• Experience of implementing individual learning plans linked to EHCP’s
• Has excellent knowledge of child protection and health and safety
• Enjoys being outdoors!
Things to consider:
Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which will include a check against the Children’s Barred List. References will always be taken up and the teacher records will be checked with the Department for Education.
You will need to be able to work with children and young people who may display aggressive or non-compliant behaviour in a sensitive but firm way, while at all time ensuring that they are kept safe and well.
Running Deer School is in a rural location on the edge of Dartmoor, approximately 2 miles from Moretonhampstead.
If you would like to chat to someone regarding this position, please call 01647400201 and ask to speak to Nick (Director of Education).
For an application pack please email