At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead school improvement and support leaders in transforming educational outcomes for young people.
- Company: Join Horizon Care & Education, dedicated to making a difference in SEN schools.
- Benefits: Access to amazing employee benefits, wellbeing resources, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience and a passion for improving educational standards.
Location – supporting our SEN Schools in the West Midlands, Wolverhampton & Tipton. Join Horizon Care & Education and play a pivotal role in transforming outcomes for young people. As Associate Regional Director, you’ll work alongside Regional Directors to turn our educational vision into consistently high-quality practice across schools, driving improvement where it matters most - in the classroom. This is a highly visible, school-facing leadership role focused on raising standards, strengthening leadership at every level, and ensuring robust quality assurance and compliance.
You will support schools through hands-on coaching, evidence-informed practice, and targeted development, helping translate strategy into measurable impact for students.
What you’ll do:
- Lead school improvement across curriculum, teaching, inclusion, behaviour, and leadership
- Support and develop senior and middle leaders through coaching, modelling, and CPD
- Drive a transparent quality assurance framework aligned to Ofsted and ISS
- Embed evidence-informed practice (including EEF research) into classrooms
- Monitor impact and ensure improvements are visible, sustained, and measurable
- Provide leadership support to schools during periods of challenge or transition
What we’re looking for:
An experienced senior school leader with a proven track record of improving outcomes, developing leaders, and delivering sustainable school improvement. You will bring credibility, resilience, and the ability to influence at all levels, alongside a deep understanding of inspection frameworks and evidence-informed practice.
Essential criteria:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
- Significant senior leadership experience (e.g. Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher or equivalent)
- Proven track record of leading school improvement with measurable impact on student outcomes
- Strong expertise in curriculum, inclusion/SEND, behaviour, and assessment
- Experience developing and line managing leaders at multiple levels
- Deep understanding of Ofsted, ISS, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks
- Skilled in analysing school data, planning strategically, and driving improvement
- Confident coach, facilitator, and communicator with the ability to influence and build trust
- Resilient, adaptable, and committed to evidence-informed, transparent practice
Desirable criteria:
- NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification
- Postgraduate qualification in education or leadership
- Experience designing and delivering CPD and leadership development programmes
- Experience preparing for inspection and working with external regulators
- Knowledge of earned autonomy models and sustainable improvement strategies
- Experience leading networks, peer reviews, or cross-school collaboration
We have recently launched OneHorizon which is a new platform designed for YOU which brings together the benefits, tools and resources to help you feel supported, valued and great at work! The platform is designed to give you instant access to amazing employee benefits, company announcements, downloadable resources and documents as well as feedback surveys and our people directory. You will benefit from Discount programmes, Holiday trading scheme, Eco friendly car scheme, SmartTech scheme, Wellbeing Centre and Cycle to work plus much more!
At Horizon, we are committed to equality, safeguarding, and the welfare of all young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. Be part of a team where your leadership makes a lasting difference.
Closing date for this role will be the 10th June.
Associate Regional Director - (West Midlands SEN Schools) in Wolverhampton employer: Horizon Care and Education
Horizon Care & Education is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in the West Midlands through innovative educational practices. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth, offering extensive coaching and development opportunities for leaders at all levels, while our OneHorizon platform ensures you feel valued with access to a range of employee benefits. Join us in making a meaningful impact in SEN schools, where your leadership will truly make a difference.
Contact Details:
Horizon Care and Education Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Regional Director - (West Midlands SEN Schools) in Wolverhampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with SEN schools. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Horizon Care & Education thoroughly. Understand their values and recent initiatives, especially around school improvement and evidence-informed practices. This will help you tailor your responses and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've driven school improvement and supported leaders in the past. Use data to back up your claims – numbers speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our team at Horizon, where we value commitment and passion.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Regional Director - (West Midlands SEN Schools) in Wolverhampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Associate Regional Director role. Highlight your experience in school improvement and leadership, and don’t forget to mention how you can drive measurable impact for students.
Showcase Your Achievements:Use concrete examples to demonstrate your track record in improving outcomes and developing leaders. We want to see how you've made a difference in previous roles, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who is resilient and adaptable, so share your unique approach to challenges and how you build trust with teams.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Care and Education
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the organisation. Familiarise yourself with Horizon Care & Education’s mission, values, and recent initiatives like OneHorizon. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in improving student outcomes and developing other leaders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges in a school setting. Think about past experiences where you’ve driven improvement or supported leaders through transitions. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the challenges faced by SEN schools. Inquire about their approach to quality assurance or how they measure the impact of their strategies. This shows you’re not just interested in the position but also in contributing to their success.
