At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a therapeutic school, driving improvement and supporting pupils with complex needs.
- Company: Vicarage Park School, part of Compass Community Schools, focused on specialist education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £75,000 plus bonuses, with opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to creating a positive, inclusive school culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with severe learning difficulties.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and significant leadership experience in SEND settings required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 93000 £ per year.
Reports to: Regional Director.
Responsibilities:
- Provide clear, ambitious and values‑led leadership for Vicarage Park School.
- Develop and implement a strategic vision that supports school improvement, sustainable growth and outstanding outcomes for pupils with SLD and complex needs.
- Lead the school through its next phase of development, embedding high standards across education, safeguarding, behaviour and therapeutic practice.
- Drive a culture of aspiration, accountability and continuous improvement across the school community.
- Work collaboratively with the Regional Director and wider Compass leadership teams to align school priorities with organisational strategy.
- Ensure the curriculum is ambitious, personalised and appropriately adapted to meet the diverse needs of pupils.
- Promote consistently high‑quality teaching, learning and assessment across the school.
- Establish high expectations for behaviour, attendance, engagement and achievement.
- Use data, observation and quality assurance processes to monitor progress and drive improvement.
- Ensure pupils are well prepared for adulthood, independence and their next stage of education or life.
- Ensure safeguarding remains central to all aspects of school life and practice.
- Promote a therapeutic, trauma‑informed and child‑centred culture that supports pupils' emotional wellbeing and development.
- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure pupils receive integrated and holistic support.
- Maintain full compliance with safeguarding legislation, Independent School Standards and regulatory requirements.
- Foster an environment where pupils feel safe, valued, respected and able to thrive.
- Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary staff team through coaching, support and clear accountability.
- Create a positive and inclusive culture aligned with Compass values of Integrity, Courage and Care.
- Ensure staff feel supported, valued and empowered to deliver high‑quality practice.
- Lead effective performance management, supervision and professional development across the school.
- Support recruitment, retention and succession planning to strengthen long‑term school capacity.
- Ensure the school operates safely, effectively and in line with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Lead preparation for Ofsted inspections and maintain strong inspection readiness at all times.
- Monitor budgets, resources and staffing effectively to support sustainable school growth.
- Build positive relationships with local authorities, parents/carers and external professionals.
- Promote the reputation of Vicarage Park and Compass Community Schools as trusted specialist education providers.
Qualifications:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) desirable.
- Relevant SEND qualification or substantial specialist SEND experience desirable.
- Significant leadership experience within SEND or specialist education settings.
- Strong understanding of Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), complex needs and therapeutic approaches to education.
- Proven track record of driving school improvement and improving outcomes for children with additional needs.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams within complex educational environments.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, compliance and regulatory requirements within specialist education.
- Experience of preparing for and leading Ofsted inspections.
Attributes:
- Ambitious and aspirational for all children and young people.
- Inspirational leader who can motivate teams and build a positive culture.
- Resilient, reflective and solutions‑focused.
- Child‑centred and values‑led in approach.
- Strong communicator able to build trust with pupils, families, staff and external stakeholders.
- Organised and strategic, with the ability to balance operational leadership and long‑term development.
Location: Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Salary and Bonus: £75,000 a year + up to £18,000 in bonus.
SEND Headteacher — Therapeutic, Data-Driven School Leader in Cleobury Mortimer employer: Compass Community Schools
Vicarage Park School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of both its pupils and staff. Located in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, we offer a supportive and inclusive work culture where ambitious leaders can thrive, backed by competitive salaries and substantial bonuses. Our commitment to professional development ensures that every team member is empowered to excel in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with special educational needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Headteacher — Therapeutic, Data-Driven School Leader in Cleobury Mortimer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with SEND. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what schools are looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s ethos and values. Make sure you can articulate how your vision aligns with their goals, especially around therapeutic practices and supporting pupils with complex needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven improvement in previous roles. Highlight your experience with multidisciplinary teams and how you’ve fostered a positive culture in your past schools.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Headteacher — Therapeutic, Data-Driven School Leader in Cleobury Mortimer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of pupils with SLD and complex needs.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the SEND Headteacher role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our values at Vicarage Park School.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it's necessary, and make sure your key points stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Vicarage Park School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Community Schools
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to think about your strategic vision for Vicarage Park School. Be ready to discuss how you would implement ambitious and values-led leadership, especially in relation to supporting pupils with SLD and complex needs.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive school improvement in the past. Be specific about the methods you employed to monitor progress and how you adapted strategies based on your findings. This will demonstrate your data-driven approach.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you’ve fostered collaboration among staff and external professionals to create a holistic support system for pupils. This aligns with the school's focus on integrated care.
✨Prepare for Ofsted Questions
Since maintaining strong inspection readiness is crucial, brush up on Ofsted criteria and be prepared to discuss your experience leading inspections. Share specific instances where you ensured compliance and high standards in education and safeguarding.
