At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a specialist school for vulnerable young people, ensuring high-quality education and support.
- 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 team and shape the future of a growing specialist provision.
- Why this job: Make a real 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 role offers an opportunity for a strong educational leader passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and creating inclusive environments where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
The Role
- Take responsibility for the day‑to‑day operational leadership of the provision, ensuring high-quality education, therapeutic support, and inclusive practice.
- Combine strategic leadership, staff management, safeguarding oversight, and school improvement within a specialist SEMH and SEND environment.
- 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.
- Collaborate 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 of 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.
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Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision. Job in Manchester Education & Training Jobs employer: Dovetail and Slate
As a leading specialist education provider in Greater Manchester, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the professional growth of our staff. Our commitment to high-quality education and therapeutic support for vulnerable young people creates a meaningful environment where you can make a genuine impact. With excellent development opportunities and a collaborative leadership structure, this role as Head of Primary offers the chance to shape the future of our SEMH and SEND provision while working term-time only.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision. Job in Manchester Education & Training Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with SEMH and SEND. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s ethos and values. Show us how your leadership style aligns with their mission to support vulnerable learners. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in creating inclusive environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out. Plus, it’s a great way to show your commitment to joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Primary - SEMH & SEND Provision. Job in Manchester Education & Training Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with SEMH and SEND. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for vulnerable young people shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but genuinely cares about making a difference in their lives.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences are easy to spot and understand.
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 fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dovetail and Slate
✨Know Your SEMH & SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SEMH and SEND needs. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to support vulnerable learners. This shows you're not just familiar with the terms, but you can apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership experience and how you've managed teams in previous roles. Think of examples where you've driven school improvement or supported staff development. This is your chance to highlight your unique approach to leading a team.
✨Be Ofsted-Ready
Familiarise yourself with Ofsted requirements and be prepared to discuss how you've maintained an Ofsted-ready environment in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to school improvement planning and quality assurance processes.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with parents, carers, and external agencies. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with others to enhance pupil outcomes. This role is all about creating an inclusive environment, so show that you can foster those connections.
