Deputy Headteacher
Manor Academy
- Expired
THE SOVEREIGN TRUST MANOR ACADEMY SALE Manor Avenue Sale M33 5JX Tel: 0161 532 3251 Email: hr@thesovereigntrust.uk @TheSovTrust DEPUTY HEADTEACHER - Start Date: September 2026 Leadership Payscale L15 to L19 Full Time Permanent Pension: All teaching staff are auto enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension scheme. You can opt out of the scheme at any time. Benefits: Salary sacrifice schemes for purchasing bikes used for travel to work and technology for personal use, through monthly interest-free salary deductions. Employee Assistance Programme provides access to a range of wellbeing services. Inspire. Lead. Transform. Are you a dynamic and strategic leader with a passion for inclusive education? Are you ready to make a lasting impact within a thriving and respected special academy community? We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join the senior leadership team at Manor Academy, a ‘Good’ school held in high regard both locally and nationally. This is a rare opportunity to help lead a vibrant and compassionate learning environment that meets the needs of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism, and Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), all of whom have an EHCP. About Us Manor Academy is part of the thriving Sovereign Trust, a growing Multi-Academy Trust consisting of six special schools/academies/colleges, covering a wide range of SEND and phases of education. Our school/academies provide specialist, personalised education to young people aged 1116 with complex profiles. We work closely with families and external professionals to ensure the best outcomes for both our children and their families. Our staff team is deeply committed to delivering an outstanding education in partnership with the community. If you are flexible, creative, enthusiastic, and passionate about improving the lives of young people, we want to hear from you. Visit our website to learn more: www.manoracademy.org About the Role As Deputy Headteacher, you will work closely with the Headteacher to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the academy. You will: Support and develop staff through high-quality CPD, mentoring, and wellbeing strategies Help drive whole-school improvement, with a focus on inclusion and trauma-informed practice Deputise for the Headteacher as required, ensuring continuity and stability in leadership We Are Looking For a Leader Who: Has significant leadership experience (e.g. Assistant or Deputy Headteacher) Is an outstanding practitioner with expertise in SEND, particularly SEMH and Autism Can inspire and lead high-performing teams through a culture of collaboration and respect Is deeply committed to inclusive education and pupil wellbeing Demonstrates integrity, emotional intelligence and strategic thinking What we offer: We are proud to provide an environment where staff are valued, supported, and inspired. As our Deputy Headteacher, you will benefit from: Friendly, enthusiastic pupils who are eager to learn and succeed Supportive parents and carers committed to working in partnership with the school A dedicated and collaborative staff team that values trust, wellbeing, and consistency Bespoke performance management and coaching, tailored to your career goals and aspirations A forward-thinking and research-informed approach to teaching, learning, and leadership A unique learning environment that embraces diverse teaching methods and learning styles An experienced and supportive leadership team who will work with you to achieve your ambitions An exciting opportunity to help shape the school’s future, with new initiatives and developments ahead Please see the job description and person specification for more information Are we the right school for you? How to apply If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, you should complete the Sovereign Trust application form. Completed applications are to be returned to hr@thesovereigntrust.uk to arrive by 9 am on the deadline day. Keeping Children Safe in Education The Sovereign Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all those working for the Trust to share this commitment. An online search will be carried out, and a Childcare Declaration form will be required from shortlisted candidates. This post is subject to a satisfactory two-year reference history, which we will endeavour to seek before interview, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check (previously CRB), medical clearance, and proof of legal working in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. A copy of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found on our website by following this link https://www.thesovereigntrust.uk/policies-1/ Closing date for receipt of applications - Friday 6 February 2026 Shortlisting - Week commencing Monday 9 February 2026 Interviews for successful candidates will be held at Manor Academy - Thursday 26 February 2026 Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year. Employment could affect your benefits, find out more here. Turn2us Benefits Calculator.Supporting Documents
↗ Deputy HT Candidate Pack - Jan 2026.pdf
↗ JD PS - Deputy Headteacher (002).pdf
↗ TST - Application Form - Teaching Staff (V6).docx
↗ TST - Equal Opportunities Form (V1).docx
Location
Manor Avenue, Sale, Trafford, M33 5JX, United Kingdom
Job ID
1631
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future
Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.
Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay
Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Estimate your Income Tax for the current year (Gov.uk)
Check Your Benefits Entitlement
See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
