Assistant Headteacher

Abbey Court Foundation Special School · ME2, South East

Closing date: 11 November 2026 at 11:59pm9 days left
Role: Assistant headteacher
Posted: 2 November 2026

Rede Court Road, Strood

Rochester

Kent

ME2 3SP

Read the full advert and apply⁠

You apply on the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert, not here.

Job description

The Governors at Abbey Court School are seeking to appoint an… Assistant Headteacher Leadership scale: L12 – L16 Fixed-term contract from 01.01.27 to 31.12.27 We are looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking individual who has the passion, commitment and drive to maintain the school’s outstanding status. The ideal candidate will be an effective decision-maker who can enthuse parents and staff, as well as have the ability to engage the wider community. Flexibility, the ability to respond to daily events and effective prioritisation are essential requirements. The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers, and will have responsibility to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of staff development policy. In return, the school can offer: happy children who respond well to challenge, an exciting, enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning, a commitment to continuous professional development, which promotes and encourages further Leadership development and freedom to develop the role further. Abbey Court School delivers a full curriculum to pupils with Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties between the ages of 3 and 19. The school is split and currently based at two Strood sites 1 mile apart. The school has a farm in the grounds of the primary site. We are fully committed to safeguarding and protecting the children at Abbey Court School. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks. Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practices across the school. On joining, you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practices and safeguard our children and young people. Closing Date: Tuesday 11th November 2026 at 3:30 pm Interviews: Tuesday 17 November 2026 Please apply online at ukteach.com, or visit www.abbeycourt.medway.sch.uk/News/Recruitment to download an Application Form. Completed application forms should be e-mailed to recruitment@abbeycourt.medway.sch.uk If you have any queries, please contact the office at Abbey Court School, Rede Court Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 3SP 01634 338220

School at a glance

Abbey Court Foundation Special School

Type: Community special school
Age range: 3 to 19
Local authority: Medway
Region: South East
Religious character: Does not apply
Website: www.abbeycourt.medway.sch.uk⁠ (opens in a new tab)

The school's record on Get Information About Schools⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Published school data

Showing 6 of 35 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Published school data: retained periods and publication files
Publication	Period and coverage
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition b82db944-44bb-421e-ad2c-11aa1c5ccbd1 · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition 4a6546b8-8677-4193-9f09-6af01ab6072c · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2024/25 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2023/24 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition 79b26d03-8e91-4acf-9a3a-ab13e78aea0a · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact

Local area context

DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas: No published SCAP planning-area membership is available for this URN.

Showing 6 of 17 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Local area context: retained periods and publication files
Publication	Period and coverage
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2031/32 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2030/31 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E06000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.

Showing 15 of 26 published figures, up to three per group. Open each source for the full published data.

Pupils

Number on roll: 2362025/26
Source and value: Number on roll, 2025/26, Academic year, 1.0:
Published value: 236. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 1.0:
Academic year
Free school meals: 46.2%2025/26
Source and value: Free school meals, 2025/26, Academic year, 1.0:
Published value: 46.2%. Display values may be rounded.
Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 1.0:
Academic year
First language other than English: 27.1%2025/26
Source and value: First language other than English, 2025/26, Academic year, 1.0:
Published value: 27.1%. Display values may be rounded.
Percentage of pupils in the published First language other than English breakdown.
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 1.0:
Academic year

Attendance and behaviour

Overall absence: 10.4%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Overall absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 10.38246%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Persistent absence: 32.1%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Persistent absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 32.08556%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Permanent exclusions: 02024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Published value: 0. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Academic year

Staff

Teachers (headcount): 432025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 43. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Teachers (FTE): 37.92025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 37.94. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Leadership (headcount): 42025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 4. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year

Results

KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths: 0.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
KS2: published eligible pupil number: 162024/25
Source and value: KS2: published eligible pupil number, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 16. Display values may be rounded.
Published eligible pupil number (telig) from DfE's Key stage 2 institution level - Schools (School information), for the same release, year and period as the results; not the whole-school roll.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths: 0.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final

Money

Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium: £120,3502026/27
Source and value: Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Published value: 120350. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level deprivation FSM6 allocation only; excludes looked-after and previously looked-after children, alternative-provision census allocations and service pupil premium. This is not total pupil premium.
DfE: Published school deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
Source dated 23 September 2026.
Published file
Current conditions of grant
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Financial year
Devolved formula capital: £14,9452026/27
Source and value: Devolved formula capital, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Published value: 14945.13. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations
Source dated 14 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Financial year
Income per pupil: £34,9322026
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2026, Reporting year ending, response-sha256:345deb1a79f241d04f74be856a40dc0f0c67f022c6c6d0b86c9c100b092783df
Published value: 34932.16949152543. Display values may be rounded.
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
Published file
Publication version: response-sha256:345deb1a79f241d04f74be856a40dc0f0c67f022c6c6d0b86c9c100b092783df
Reporting year ending

Latest Ofsted inspection

Ungraded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected 8 March 2023, published 16 May 2023 · number 10242150
Outcome
School remains Outstanding
Ofsted's inspection reports for this school⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Sources

Get Information About Schools (Department for Education) (opens in a new tab) · 2 November 2026
Ofsted monthly management information: state-funded schools, latest inspections (opens in a new tab) · 30 September 2026
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations (opens in a new tab) · 2026/27 · Financial year · 14 May 2026
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · 15 October 2026
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 4 June 2026
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 9 July 2026
DfE: Pupil to teacher ratios (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 17 August 2026
DfE: Special educational needs in England (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 30 June 2026

6 further sources are not listed here; displayed figures retain their own source links.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Vacancies are from the DfE Teaching Vacancies service (opens in a new tab), as the school published them. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.