Headteacher – SEND / SEMH

Headteacher - Education (SEND)
Full-Time, On-Site, Permanent
Location: Derbyshire / Peak District
Salary: up to £75,000 per annum, plus bonuses

We are seeking an experienced and resilient Headteacher to lead a small, specialist school for pupils aged 11 to 17 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, many of whom have an EHCP. Set in a peaceful rural location and linked to an on-site children’s home, this is a rare opportunity to shape a therapeutic, high-support provision from the front. The school is preparing for its first Ofsted inspection, so you will have real scope to set the direction, build the culture and leave your mark.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide visionary and hands-on leadership, setting a trauma-informed, therapeutic ethos that supports both pupils and staff
• Lead a strong pastoral offer for pupils with complex needs, including harmful sexual behaviour and experience of child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• Work closely with the residential home and the in-house clinical team, including on-site occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, to deliver joined-up care and education
• Ensure EHCPs and personalised learning plans are reviewed and kept up to date, working with the SENDCO and pastoral teams
• Lead curriculum design, from Entry Level to GCSE, with vocational and therapeutic elements tailored to individual pupils
• Maintain high standards of teaching, behaviour and safeguarding, and develop staff through coaching and continuous training
• Prepare the school for its first Ofsted inspection and ensure compliance with the Independent School Standards
• Manage staffing, finance and resources, and work with governors to provide accurate reporting and strategic advice

About You:

• QTS, with NPQH or equivalent (or a willingness to work towards it)
• Proven leadership experience in a special school or complex educational setting
• Understanding of CSE and substantial experience supporting pupils with SEND and SEMH needs, ideally including harmful sexual behaviour
• A background in prison education, or deep experience working with similar cohorts, would be highly regarded
• Comfortable leading a provision closely linked to residential care and clinical services, with strong multi-agency working
• Strong knowledge of the Ofsted independent school framework, statutory duties and safeguarding
• A calm, credible and compassionate leader with a genuine commitment to the welfare of children and young people

What’s On Offer:

• Competitive headteacher salary depending on experience
• Eligibility for a quarterly bonus
• Small school setting, with high staff-to-pupil ratios
• Support from a Regional Manager and Regional Director, plus a dedicated School Administrator
• Access to in-house Educational Psychologists and a clinical team, including Psychologists and Attachment Aware Training
• A network of Headteacher peers, with regular conferences and weekly wellbeing drop-in sessions
• Centralised HR, finance, payroll and recruitment support
• Fully funded CPD and an enhanced programme of 10 INSET days
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, life assurance and a blue light discount card

Contact Details:

To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Madeleine Crosley at 0161 507 5060 or mcrosley@compassltd.co.uk

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer a £500 voucher for successful referrals following completion of probation.