Head of Education in Dumfries

Location, Hours and Salary

Greenleaf House is located in Dumfries. The role is full‑time (40 hours per week, 9am–5pm during term time with flexibility as required). The salary range is £55,000 to £65,000 per annum.

Job Purpose & Our Ethos

At Greenleaf, our purpose is to create safe, nurturing, trauma‑informed environments where children and young people can recover, grow and thrive. As Head of Education you will design and lead a relational, person‑centred education offer across our homes in Scotland—grounded in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), GIRFEC and the Scottish Promise—so that every learner builds self‑efficacy, curiosity, resilience and achieves meaningful, personal success.

What Makes Greenleaf Different

• Therapeutic, holistic model: integrated care–education–psychology with highly trained, reflective practitioners.
• Small, relationship‑based learning communities: we “sweat the small stuff” to make big differences in outcomes.
• An ambitious growth journey: the chance to co‑design and scale a high‑trust, trauma‑informed provision.

Main Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities

To lead, develop and oversee Greenleaf’s education provision across our houses, ensuring outstanding, person‑centred learning for young people with diverse needs. The role blends strategic vision with operational leadership and a commitment to therapeutic, relational pedagogy.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and deliver an education vision, values and strategy aligned to Scottish Government policy and guidance, CfE and GIRFEC.
• Design innovative, trauma‑informed curricula for learners with ASN and EHCPs (or local equivalents), ensuring personalisation and high expectations.
• Drive excellence in pedagogy, assessment and attainment; embed robust data‑informed improvement using HGIOS and related frameworks.
• Report regularly to the Board of Governors, Managing Director and stakeholders, evidencing impact on learner outcomes.

• Recruit, develop and line‑manage an outstanding staff team across sites; model compassionate, values‑led leadership.
• Build a supportive culture of supervision, wellbeing and reflective practice; lead appraisals and targeted CPD pathways.
• Champion psychologically safe teams, coaching relational practice and trauma‑informed approaches.

• Ensure compliance with SQA/City & Guilds/ASDAN (or similar) and alignment to individual plans and statutory outcomes.
• Oversee assessment, internal quality assurance and external moderation; sustain rigorous standards across sites.
• Embed evidence‑based pedagogy that builds belonging, self‑efficacy and readiness for positive destinations.

• Build purposeful relationships with HMIE, local authorities, families and community partners; ensure inspection readiness.
• Uphold safeguarding, equality and ASN best practice; act as Child Protection Co‑ordinator.
• Contribute to governance through clear reporting, accurate records and risk management.

• Lead scalable systems, policies and processes that support quality and growth across Scotland and (in time) cross‑border.
• Promote meaningful stakeholder engagement in School Improvement Planning.
• Advance digital learning and accessible progress tracking.

Safeguarding & Equalities

Greenleaf is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Safer recruitment checks (including PVG and references) will be undertaken. Greenleaf is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how your leadership aligns with our therapeutic, relational ethos and the requirements of this role. If you would like an informal conversation before applying, we would be happy to arrange a call.

Requirements

• Recognised teaching qualification and full GTCS registration; PVG membership.
• Substantial leadership experience in alternative/specialist education in Scotland, with HMIE engagement and knowledge of CfE, GIRFEC and independent special school regulation.
• Deep understanding of trauma‑informed, inclusive education and relational pedagogy.
• Proven track record in curriculum development, assessment and quality assurance.

• Building new teams and establishing systems from the ground up.
• Knowledge of SQA, City & Guilds, ASDAN or similar awarding bodies.
• Experience with digital learning platforms and/or outdoor/therapeutic learning.

This job specification is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the role and its requirements. The specific duties and responsibilities may evolve over time in response to changing organisational needs and external factors. The Company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.

Benefits & Development

Competitive salary and pension; car allowance. 40 days’ holiday; free on‑site parking; beautiful riverside setting. Private health insurance. Extensive CPD, supervision and funded qualifications, including therapeutic leadership development. Clear progression pathways and the opportunity to co‑design a growing provision that changes life trajectories.