Head of Centre in Thatcham

Northcroft School is a permanent, full-time position during term time plus 10 inset days. Amegreen Education is a group of independent SEND schools across West Berkshire, committed to providing a positive and supportive environment for both students and staff.

To support staff wellbeing and promote a healthy work-life balance, our working hours are 8:00am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday, with minimal additional responsibilities outside these hours. Each day includes briefings and debriefings, and staff are provided with a free cooked lunch. We also offer a dedicated weekly afternoon for CPD, planning and preparation when students are not on site. At Amegreen, we offer a competitive salary scale that broadly mirrors the National Teacher Pay Scale, alongside an enhanced company pension scheme with an award-winning provider.

The postholder will work under the direction of the Executive Headteacher to maintain a culture of excellence in learning and teaching which recognises pupils’ individual worth. Supporting the community in promoting positive attitudes to learning amongst pupils and staff with an ability to offer relentless commitment to a cluster of very vulnerable young pupils and their families who need tailored adaptations to access education. All postholders will work with our SEND students across our educational settings.

Main responsibilities:

• Inspire, motivate and challenge students through high quality teaching, by managing behaviour effectively and ensuring a safe learning environment.
• Promote personal development and welfare of students fulfilling professional responsibilities including policy implementation and adherence to teacher standards.
• Contribute to the whole Centre improvement plan through curriculum development, upholding and promoting the schools’ values and pedagogy.

This job description is based on the key areas identified by the Executive Headteacher and proprietors who acknowledge the importance of the role and who actively offer long-term support, encouragement, CPD and realistic challenge to the successful candidate. Amegreen Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring that the highest priority is given to following the guidance and regulations to safeguard them.

Responsibilities:

• Lead with integrity, visibility and professionalism.
• Maintain high expectations for all students and staff.
• Ensure every decision is made in the best interests of students.
• Drive continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, achievement and aspiration.
• Support the strategic growth of the Centre and future Post-16 provision.

Person Specification:

• Maintain student attendance at or above the agreed target of 94%.
• Ensure positive progress and outcomes for all students from their individual starting points.
• Deliver a high-quality, ambitious and appropriately sequenced curriculum.
• Maintain robust safeguarding practices and ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing and successful engagement in learning.
• Ensure high levels of parent, carer and student satisfaction.
• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing staff team.
• Deliver the Centre Development Plan and contribute to wider organisational priorities.
• Ensure all policies, risk assessments and operational procedures are effectively implemented and regularly reviewed.
• Support the successful development and growth of the Centre, including the establishment and expansion of Post-16 provision.
• Ensure that all students leave the Centre with a minimum of five accredited qualifications appropriate to their needs, abilities and future aspirations.

Professional standards:

• Act as a role model, to champion Amegreen Education's vision and values.
• Comply with Amegreen Education policies and procedures including safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
• Undertake personal and professional development activities and liaise with other staff so knowledge and best practice can be shared.
• Lead a team of professionals enabling young people to explore and develop their own unique abilities, talents and skills.
• Work in a flexible manner and be willing to undertake other duties as reasonably requested.

Equality and Diversity:

Amegreen is committed to being an organisation that allows people to be their authentic selves in a safe and inclusive environment. We are actively building diverse teams and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any accessibility adjustments to support your application, please contact us.

Safeguarding:

Amegreen Children’s Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and references. All employees must complete mandatory safeguarding and GDPR training. Successful candidates will complete a thorough safeguarding onboarding process, including a full employment history review and an enhanced DBS check.