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: Enjoy a range of perks including discounts, wellbeing support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community focused on equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and significant senior leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
Responsibilities
- 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
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
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
One Horizon
We have recently launched OneHorizon which is a platform designed for you, bringing together benefits, tools and resources to help you feel supported, valued and great at work. The platform gives instant access to employee benefits, company announcements, downloadable resources and documents, feedback surveys and our people directory. Benefits include discount programmes, holiday trading, eco-friendly car scheme, SmartTech scheme, wellbeing centre and cycle to work, plus more.
Equality and Compliance
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. Closing date for this role will be the 10th June.
Associate Regional Director - (West Midlands SEN Schools) in Wolverhampton employer: Horizon Care & 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 that employees feel valued and equipped with the resources they need to thrive. Join us in making a meaningful impact in SEN education, where your leadership can drive real change in the classroom.
Contact Details:
Horizon Care & 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 valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your achievements in school improvement and leadership. This will give you an edge during interviews and help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on how you've driven measurable impact in previous roles, as this is key for the Associate Regional Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining Horizon Care & Education and making a difference in the lives of young people.
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 skills and experiences that match the Associate Regional Director role. Highlight your leadership experience and how you've driven school improvement in the past.
Showcase Your Impact:Use concrete examples to demonstrate your track record of leading school improvements. We want to see measurable outcomes, so don’t shy away from sharing data or specific achievements that illustrate your success.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value authenticity, so share your passion for education and how you envision making a difference in the lives of young people in the West Midlands.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Care & Education
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the educational landscape in the West Midlands. Brush up on the latest Ofsted frameworks, compliance standards, and evidence-informed practices. This will show that you’re not just interested but also knowledgeable about what it takes to drive improvement in SEN schools.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led school improvement initiatives. Highlight how you’ve supported leaders at various levels and the measurable impact of your coaching. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to influence and build trust within a team.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about challenges you’ve encountered in previous roles and how you navigated them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Horizon Care & Education’s mission and values. During the interview, express how your personal educational philosophy aligns with their vision for transforming outcomes for young people. This connection can set you apart as a candidate who truly understands and supports their goals.