At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a specialist school for vulnerable young people, ensuring high standards in education and wellbeing.
- Company: A compassionate education provider dedicated to inclusive learning environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time only hours, and excellent professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive leadership team and shape a growing specialist provision.
- Why this job: Make a genuine difference in the lives of young people with SEMH and SEND needs.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and 5+ years of leadership experience in education.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 48000 £ per year.
A specialist education provider is seeking an experienced and compassionate Head of School to lead one of its SEMH and SEND provisions in Greater Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong educational leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and creating inclusive environments where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
The successful candidate will provide visible and proactive leadership across the school, driving high standards in teaching, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing while supporting a culture of accountability, relational practice, and continuous improvement.
The Role
The Head of School will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational leadership of the provision, working closely with wider senior leadership teams to ensure high-quality education, therapeutic support, and inclusive practice across the setting. This role combines strategic leadership, staff management, safeguarding oversight, and school improvement within a specialist SEMH and SEND environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining an Ofsted-ready culture while embedding restorative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approaches that positively impact pupil outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the daily operational management of the school, ensuring high standards across education, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing
- Drive school improvement priorities through effective use of data, monitoring, and evaluation
- Lead and support staff performance, development, and accountability across the provision
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure high-quality SEND, SEMH, and pastoral support
- Monitor teaching, learning, interventions, and pupil outcomes to ensure consistent and effective practice
- Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), ensuring robust safeguarding systems and compliance
- Promote relational, restorative, and trauma-informed approaches throughout the school
- Oversee behaviour systems, attendance strategies, and pupil engagement initiatives
- Build strong relationships with parents, carers, Local Authorities, and external agencies
- Contribute to Ofsted readiness, school improvement planning, and quality assurance processes
- Support staff wellbeing, CPD, recruitment, and professional development
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and aspirational culture where pupils and staff can succeed
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Minimum of 5 years' leadership experience within a primary, secondary, specialist, or alternative provision setting
- Strong experience supporting pupils with SEMH and/or SEND needs
- Experience leading teams, managing staff performance, and driving school improvement
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, behaviour support, and inclusive education practice
- Experience using data to monitor performance and improve outcomes
- Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
- Ability to build strong relationships with families, professionals, and multidisciplinary teams
- A resilient, reflective, and solution-focused leadership style
- Commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable learners
Desirable Experience
- NPQH or working towards a leadership qualification
- Experience within specialist education or alternative provision settings
- Experience supporting Ofsted inspections and maintaining an Ofsted-ready environment
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, restorative, and therapeutic approaches
- Experience working within multidisciplinary or therapeutic teams
What's on Offer
- Permanent full-time opportunity
- Term-time only working pattern
- Supportive and collaborative senior leadership structure
- Excellent professional development and progression opportunities
- Opportunity to shape and influence a growing specialist provision
- The chance to make a genuine and lasting difference to young people's lives
This role would suit an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School, SEMH Lead, Inclusion Lead, or senior leader looking to progress within specialist education and alternative provision leadership.
Important Notice
Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Dovetail and Slate Ltd acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.
Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision employer: Dovetail and Slate
Dovetail and Slate is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for educational leaders passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people. With a focus on professional development and progression opportunities, employees are empowered to shape and influence a growing specialist provision in Greater Manchester, all while enjoying a term-time only working pattern that promotes work-life balance. Join us to be part of a culture that values inclusivity, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that both staff and pupils thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Understand their approach to SEMH and SEND provisions, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven school improvement and supported staff performance. Use data to back up your achievements and demonstrate your impact on pupil outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate leaders who want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable young people shine through. We want to see how your experiences and values align with our mission to create inclusive environments.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Highlight your leadership experience and specific achievements in SEMH and SEND settings. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to drive school improvement and support staff performance, as this is key for us.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Head of School. Address the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description and explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for this position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dovetail and Slate
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of SEMH and SEND provisions. Brush up on current legislation, best practices, and any recent developments in the field. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of the school. Think about examples where you've successfully led teams, driven school improvement, or implemented trauma-informed practices. Be ready to share how you foster a positive and inclusive culture.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Anticipate scenario-based questions that may arise during the interview. Consider how you would handle specific challenges related to safeguarding, behaviour management, or staff development. Practising these responses can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Build Connections
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with parents, carers, and external agencies. Prepare examples of how you’ve collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. This will highlight your commitment to a holistic approach in supporting pupils’ needs.
