Assistant Headteacher

Assistant Headteacher – Aurora Woodlands

Location: Leyland, nr Preston, Lancashire   

Contract Type: Full-time/Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £51,773 - £57,137 (L1 – L5)

Closing Date: 10^th April 2026

Aurora Group

The Aurora Group is an innovative provider of education and care for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities.

We are excited to be advertising for an exceptional Primary and Secondary Special Education Assistant Headteacher. Woodlands school is based in Darwen with a capacity of 64 students aged between 10 - 19. The student cohort have a primary diagnosis of ASC/ADHD.

We are currently looking for an Assistant Headteacher to join us in September 2026. The school allows children and young people to access a varied curriculum in a calm and nurturing environment with a team that strives to give every student the very best confidence and opportunities to achieve.

The role:

Reporting to the Deputy Headteacher, the Assistant Headteacher will play a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of the school. You will support the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in delivering high-quality teaching, a rich curriculum, and exceptional learning experiences across the school.

You will lead on areas including curriculum development, careers and work experience, assessment, enrichment and teaching & learning — ensuring every pupil has access to a broad, exciting and relevant curriculum.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading curriculum development, assessment and enrichment across relevant phases.
• Monitoring teaching and learning and driving continuous improvement.
• Supporting CPD, coaching and mentoring staff to develop excellent practice.
• Contributing to school improvement planning, self‑evaluation and governance reporting.
• Line managing teachers and teaching assistants.
• Ensuring a safe, engaging and well‑resourced learning environment.
• Promoting strong relationships with pupils, families, external partners and the wider community.

Please see the link below for a full job description:

Assistant Headteacher - JD.docx

About You:

We’re looking for someone with:

• QTS or QTLS.
• Proven track record of excellent creative and structured teaching within relevant key stages and/or special needs environment.
• Experience of holding responsibility for and turning policy into effective and successful practice.
• Leadership of a significant area or phase or inclusion, including responsibility for raising standards across the whole school.
• Effective team management and working collaboratively and effectively with others.
• Communicating effectively to a wide range of different audiences though a range of different mediums.
• Successful management of complex scenarios and conflict resolution
• Effective relationships working successfully with a range of external agencies

What’s on Offer at Aurora?

We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you:

📚 Grow with Us – Training & Development

Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.

💸 Save Money on Everyday Essentials

With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:

• Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more
• Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme

💰 Competitive Pay & Reward

We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced Pension
• Life Assurance

🩺 24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household

Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.

🦷 UK Health Cash Plan

Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!

🧠 Employee Assistance Programme

Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:

• Freephone counselling (available 24/7)
• Online tools and resources

👯‍♀️ Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded!
(*Terms apply)

How to apply?

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details.  If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Adele in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at Adele.richard@theauroragroup.co.uk

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all