Assistant Headteacher

Penny Field School · LS6, Yorkshire and the Humber

Closing date: 23 November 2026 at 9am17 days left
Salary: £53,586.00 - £60,619.00 Annually (Actual) L1-L6
Role: Assistant headteacher
Posted: 5 November 2026

Tongue Lane, Meanwood

Leeds

Yorkshire and the Humber

LS6 4QD

Read the full advert and apply⁠

Apply through the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert.

Job description

Assistant Headteacher - Curriculum and Teaching & Learning GRADE/SCALE: Leadership L1 - L6 Penny Field School is a special school for children and young people aged 2-19 with severe and complex needs. It is a unique setting with incredible young people who deserve the absolute best in care and education that we can provide. We strive to deliver the best curriculum, with the most appropriate resources and equipment, in order to support our young people's journey into adulthood. We are seeking an inspiring, collaborative leader and exemplary classroom practitioner to join our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher. Working in close partnership with the Head of School, Executive Principal and Trust, you will lead the strategic direction of our Curriculum and Teaching & Learning, ensuring provision is consistently outstanding and tailored to the unique strengths and needs of our pupils. In this role, you will champion pedagogical excellence, model outstanding classroom practice and lead on high-impact continuous professional development and quality assurance across the academy. You will play a central role in curriculum innovation, establishing robust assessment systems and fostering a culture of unconditional positive regard and high expectations. Who we are looking for: An exceptional practitioner with proven experience in establishing and sustaining expert teaching that meets the diverse, severe and complex educational needs of our pupils. A passionate, forward-thinking leader capable of driving a broad, balanced, and personalised curriculum that prepares young people for life beyond school. An inspiring coach and mentor who can lead staff development, facilitate effective performance management, and promote positive behaviour improvement strategies across the team. A dedicated team player with resilience, ambition and unconditional positive regard, who is eager to contribute to the strategic growth and development of the academy. Why join us? We don’t just talk about professional development; we actively champion, support and invest in our leaders to help them reach their full potential. You can see all the benefits of working for us here: https://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk/careers/why-join-us/ Please see the attached recruitment pack, Job Description & Person Specification for more information. For a further discussion with the Principal, Hannah Duffey or to arrange a visit, please contact Lauren Harper at l.harper@springwellacademyleeds.org To apply, please submit an application through My New Term. Your application should outline why you feel your experience makes you a strong applicant for this exciting opportunity. Closing Date for applications is 9am on Monday 23 November 2026 Interviews are expected to be held on Monday 30 November 2026 Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview. Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post. We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/ countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.

School at a glance

Penny Field School

Type: Academy special sponsor led
Age range: 2 to 19
Local authority: Leeds
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Religious character: Does not apply
Website: www.pennyfield.org.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 publications we hold, newest first for 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 Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Population: 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: b82db944-44bb-421e-ad2c-11aa1c5ccbd1 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 Population record: Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Population: 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 4a6546b8-8677-4193-9f09-6af01ab6072c 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 Population record: Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 Geographic level: School sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact Technical source details Edition identifier: d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Population record: {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} Denominator record: sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence)
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Published file	2024/25 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 Geographic level: School sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact Technical source details Edition identifier: d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Population record: {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} Denominator record: sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence)
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Published file	2023/24 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 Geographic level: School sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact Technical source details Edition identifier: d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Population record: {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} Denominator record: sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence)
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 Geographic level: School sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact Technical source details Edition identifier: 79b26d03-8e91-4acf-9a3a-ab13e78aea0a Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Population record: {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} Denominator record: sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence)

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 publications we hold, newest first for 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 Published file	2031/32 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Secondary National curriculum year group: Secondary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Published file	2030/31 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Secondary National curriculum year group: Secondary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Primary National curriculum year group: Primary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Secondary National curriculum year group: Secondary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Primary National curriculum year group: Primary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Population: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geographic level: Local authority Education phase: Secondary National curriculum year group: Secondary total 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. Technical source details Edition identifier: 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Population record: Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Geography record: Local authority · E08000035 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total

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

Pupils

Number on roll: 712025/26
Source and value: Number on roll, 2025/26, Academic year, 4 June 2026
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
2025/26
Geographic level: School
Published value: 71. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 1.0:
Measure code: pupil_count
Breakdown record: Total
Free school meals: 57.7%2025/26
Source and value: Free school meals, 2025/26, Academic year, 4 June 2026
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
2025/26
Geographic level: School
Published value: 57.7%. Display values may be rounded.
Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 1.0:
Measure code: pupil_percent
Breakdown record: FSM eligible
First language other than English: 31.0%2025/26
Source and value: First language other than English, 2025/26, Academic year, 4 June 2026
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics
2025/26
Geographic level: School
Published value: 31%. Display values may be rounded.
Percentage of pupils in the published First language other than English breakdown.
Source dated 4 June 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 1.0:
Measure code: pupil_percent
Breakdown record: First language other than English

Attendance and behaviour

Overall absence: 18.9%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Overall absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, 15 October 2026
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Geographic level: School
Published value: 18.89438%. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Autumn and spring term
Technical source details
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Measure code: sess_overall_percent
Persistent absence: 58.7%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Persistent absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, 15 October 2026
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Geographic level: School
Published value: 58.73016%. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Autumn and spring term
Technical source details
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Measure code: enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent
Permanent exclusions: 02024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 9 July 2026
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
2024/25
Geographic level: School
Published value: 0. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Measure code: perm_excl

Staff

Teachers (headcount): 102025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 17 August 2026
DfE: Size of the school workforce
2025/26
Published value: 10. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Measure code: hc_all_teachers
Teachers (FTE): 8.62025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 17 August 2026
DfE: Size of the school workforce
2025/26
Published value: 8.6. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Measure code: fte_all_teachers
Leadership (headcount): 12025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 17 August 2026
DfE: Size of the school workforce
2025/26
Published value: 1. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Academic year
Technical source details
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Measure code: hc_leadership_teachers

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, 21 May 2026
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
2024/25
Geographic level: School
Population group: All pupils
Population breakdown: Total
Subject: Reading, writing and maths
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Academic year · Final
Technical source details
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Measure code: expected_standard_pupil_percent
KS2: published eligible pupil number: 82024/25
Source and value: KS2: published eligible pupil number, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 21 May 2026
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
2024/25
Geographic level: School
Population group: All pupils
Population breakdown: Total
Subject: Reading, writing and maths
Published value: 8. 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.
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Academic year · Final
Technical source details
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Measure code: telig
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, 21 May 2026
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
2024/25
Geographic level: School
Population group: All pupils
Population breakdown: Total
Subject: Reading, writing and maths
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Academic year · Final
Technical source details
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Measure code: higher_standard_pupil_percent

Money

Latest national finance read: income has failures; expenditure has failures.

Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium: £44,6002026/27
Source and value: Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium, 2026/27, Financial year, 23 September 2026
DfE: Published school deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
2026/27
Population: Schools with a published deprivation FSM6 allocation in the All_Schools sheet
Published value: 44600. 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.
Source dated 23 September 2026.
Published file
Current conditions of grant
Financial year
Technical source details
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
Measure code: pupil_premium_fsm6
Devolved formula capital: £7,4932026/27
Source and value: Devolved formula capital, 2026/27, Financial year, 14 May 2026
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations
2026/27
Population: Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets
Published value: 7493.13. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
Source dated 14 May 2026.
Published file
Financial year
Technical source details
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
Measure code: devolved_formula_capital
Income per pupil: £33,4132025
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2025, Reporting year ending, DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
2025
Population: The school's published CFR or AAR return identified by URN and reporting year
Published value: 33412.80985507246. Display values may be rounded.
Published file
Reporting year ending
Technical source details
Publication version: response-sha256:f2a83d4cf2150c2a66d5425dfc904b07bf0c1d577ec2c84c82b694cb4d920f5a
Measure code: totalIncome

Official school links

North West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre · Predecessor · 2018-03-31GIAS · 5 November 2026

School records and their figures stay separate.

Part of WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST (Multi-academy trust)

Latest Ofsted inspection

Graded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected 18 April 2024, published 10 June 2024 · Academy First Section 5 · number 10323102
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding is effective
Yes
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) · 5 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

7 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.

Prepare for your interview

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.