Headteacher

Key Dates

Deadline for Applications: 20/02/26, Interview Date: 3rd and 4th of March 2026, Start Date: September 2026.

Who we are

Compass Community School Athelstan is an independent specialist school providing high-quality, therapeutic and child-centred education to boys and girls from 7 to 17 years of age in Westbury, Wiltshire. Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

We are excited to welcome a new Headteacher to our nurturing and close-knit staff team. As Headteacher, you’ll be responsible for coordinating the delivery of a holistic curriculum that places our pupils needs at the centre of their learning. You’ll work closely with a range of industry professionals, managing your team of staff and delivering clear, authentic leadership that will inspire, engage, and influence real change within your school. There is also an expectation that the Headteacher will also deliver teaching – this is 0.4 of the overall timetable.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice
• Have experience working with children with SEMH & SEND, with an understanding of crisis-management, managing behaviour that challenges and supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
• Be able and willing to teach Maths and/or English to GCSE level, with additional experience in delivering vocational BTEC, Functional Skills or ELC courses.
• Have experience in designing and delivering creative and academically engaging curriculums, with excellent management skills and the ability to work with various professional networks.
• Be driven to engage in all aspects of school life, with the passion and resilience to make a difference to the lives of their pupils.

Benefits and Rewards

As a trauma informed organisation, all our staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. As a Headteacher with Compass Community Schools, you’ll be part of a passionate team of professionals, benefitting from:

• Staff laptop and mobile phone
• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating-out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.