Special Needs
- Lead and embed a coaching culture that strengthens teaching quality and accelerates staff growth at every career stage.
- Design, deliver and evaluate a coherent, evidence-informed Professional Development (PD) programme aligned to school priorities.
- Improve classroom practice through high-impact coaching, instructional feedback, and precise development pathways (ECT, ITT, Early Career, developing and expert teachers, and support staff).
- Assure the quality of CPD and its impact on pupil progress, inclusion and wellbeing.
- Establish and quality-assure coaching cycles (diagnose → model → deliberate practice → in-class feedback → review). · Provide instructional coaching and/or mentoring for identified staff (ECTs, new staff, colleagues requiring support, aspiring leaders).
- Curate and deliver evidence-informed CPD – relevant and appropriate for our context
- Commission external expertise as appropriate.
- Ensure CPD is accessible and inclusive.
- Define impact measures
- Report regularly to SLT/Governors on implementation, participation, and outcomes; refine provision in response to evidence.
- Lead/coordinate teaching & learning reviews, peer observations, and moderation linked to PD priorities.
- Line-manage designated staff (e.g., mentors/ECTs/cover HLTA), setting clear objectives and providing supportive challenge.
- Oversee ECT/ITT: induction quality, mentor training, fidelity to statutory requirements, and timely assessment points.
- Manage and support with progression and support succession planning.
- Maintain robust CPD systems
- Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, data protection
- Champion a learning culture: psychological safety, collaboration, reflective practice, and professional curiosity.
- Work with curriculum leads, curriculum block groups, SENCO, behaviour leads and senior leaders to align PD with curriculum, SEND provision, behaviour and wellbeing.
- Build partnerships with and external providers; share and import best practice.
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Has leadership experience
- Is passionate about education
- Has experience working within a special school or specialist provision
- Has strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice
- Has excellent communication and organisational skills
- Is passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners
Please note the job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed annually
Safeguarding Mayfield Special School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and appropriate pre-employment checks.
For a tour of the school or to ask for further information please contact the school on: 01946 691253
Other Information
Mayfield is a new build and unique special school located on the West Coast of the Lake District close to the historical Georgian town of Whitehaven.
The school has been transformed as part of the new development, Campus Whitehaven which represents a 32-million-pound investment in the future of Education and Community facilities for West Cumbria.
The new school offers amazing learning spaces and is purpose built to the needs of the wide range of pupils. The bespoke design has created the best possible learning environment with spacious classrooms and a wide range of specialist facilities.
The design was developed around the best examples from schools around the country and the result is amazing. Careful preparation and involvement ensured that pupils have made the transition exceptionally well and are responding to the new opportunities for learning. They are very proud of their new school.
Spacious classrooms have been created with small group rooms, mobility equipment bays, storage, cloakrooms and toilet access.
Each room has a full coverage hoist system linking directly into the assisted changing rooms. This means that staff time can be focused on learning.
The specialist facilities are state of the art and the school is everything that was hoped for and more.
Including:
- Hydrotherapy Pool – excellent changing facilities (hoist access into the water)
- Rebound Therapy Room
- Low Impact Gym
- Library – a home for sensory stories, fiction and non-fiction promoting a love of reading.
- Food Technology Room
- Therapists Room
- Medical Room
- Family Room
- Life Skills Flat
- Relaxation room with acoustic water bed
- Project Spaces
- Soft play
- Traditional Sensory room and Immersive Room
The campus wide facilities are open to the community outside school hours and will increase participation in sport and accessibility for all.
The school also aspires to be a venue and training centre for SEND and host events and training by bringing the experts to West Cumbria and enhancing capacity to meet the needs of the area.
Mayfield is one of 6 special schools in Cumbria and meets the needs of pupils aged 4 – 19 years. The school population has risen from 87 to 274 in the last 8 years and there is a constant demand for places at the new school.
All pupils have an Educational Health Care Plan reflecting either severe or profound learning needs or additional needs. Co-existing conditions are typical and 54% of the pupils have a diagnosis of ASD.
The school was deemed outstanding by Ofsted in November 2023 recognising the high aspirations and achievement of the pupils.
There is a positive culture of reflection and development throughout the school following the “Everyone Thinking, Everyone Learning” vision.
Mayfield staff and governors are relentless in the pursuit of excellence for all and use the latest research information technologies and strategies available to unlock the potential of every learner.
The school strives to lead the way in learning for pupils with special educational needs. Mayfield is a school with close links to the Local Authority and works in partnership with many organisations to improve outcomes for pupils across the locality.
The school has an established team of highly skills staff and a good balance of ECT / more experienced teachers. The school is strongly committed to the MOVE (Movement Opportunities via Education) programme with 2 staff trainers.
Team Teach is the approach used for behaviour management and all staff are trained as priority. There are 5 trainers in school. Mayfield is well supported and has high profile in the local community. In September 2023, 6th form and year 11 pupils have moved to a new site in Cockermouth.
Please see our Ofsted Report and Safeguarding Statement