Devon County Council
Torquay · Posted 24 Oct 2026 · 8 applicants
Lead something special. Shape what comes next.
Start: April 2027We are looking for an exceptional, courageous and compassionate school leader to become our next Deputy Headteacher and Head of Chestnut.
This is not simply a Deputy Headteacher role
It is an opportunity to lead Mayfield Chestnut , our distinctive specialist SEMH provision in Brixham, while playing a significant part in the strategic leadership and future development of Mayfield School.
High expectations. Strong relationships. Life-changing education.
At Chestnut, we work with children whose social, emotional and mental health needs can create significant barriers to learning, attendance, relationships and inclusion.
Our response is calm, relational, trauma-informed and ambitious.
We believe safety, belonging and regulation are the foundations for learning, not alternatives to high expectations.
That means understanding the child behind the behaviour while remaining relentlessly ambitious about what they can learn, achieve and become.
We need a leader who can do both.
Someone who can bring warmth without lowering expectations.
Someone who understands SEMH, trauma,attachment and neurodiversity , but who is equally passionate about excellent teaching, curriculum, progress and outcomes .
Someone who can build a calm and consistent culture, develop excellent staff, make difficult decisions when required and keep children firmly at the centre of them.
And someone ready to think beyond one provision and make a genuine contribution as a Deputy Headteacher of Mayfield School.
You will leadYou may already be a successful Deputy Headteacher.
You may be an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Head of Provision or senior leader who is ready for the next step.
What matters most is that you can show that you have made things better for children.
We are particularly interested in leaders who can demonstrate:successful school or provision improvement
excellent leadership of teaching and curriculum
strong knowledge of SEMH and SEND
rigorous, child-centred safeguarding practice
the ability to inspire, support and challenge adults
confident leadership through complexity and change
excellent communication with families and professionals
ambition for children whose educational journeys have not always been straightforward.
Because this is a role with real purpose and real influence.
You will inherit a distinctive provision with an established relational ethos, but you will also have genuine scope to shape its next chapter.
You will join an experienced senior leadership team, influence practice across Mayfield and work with partners beyond the school to improve opportunities for children across Torbay.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to combine hands-on specialist leadership with genuine whole-school deputy headship.
Come and see us.
Senior leadership appointments are about fit in both directions.
We warmly encourage prospective applicants to visit Chestnut and talk to us before applying.
Come and meet the children and staff. See the provision. Ask difficult questions. Decide whether our values and ambitions match yours.
Please email to arrange a visit
Ready to lead the next chapter?
Apply via Mayfield School's recruitment portal.
Safeguarding
Mayfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to the school's safer recruitment procedures and required pre-employment checks. Shortlisted candidates will be informed that online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.
Shortlisting: Friday 4th December
Interviews: Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December
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