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Assistant Headteacher - (Thornycroft SEN School - Oldham
Job Reference horizoncare/TP/887/1385
Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Full Time
Working Hours:
37..50
Location:
Closing Date:
16/10/2026
Job Category:
Education
Region / Division:
North
Business Unit:
Education
Job Introduction
Assistant Headteacher — Thornycroft School (Pastoral Lead)
Join us to shape a new, high-quality specialist provision and make a real difference to pupils with SEMH by leading behaviour, attitudes and pastoral development.
About Thornycroft School
- Independent specialist day school for pupils aged 5–19 with EHC plans and SEMH needs.
- Capacity: up to 70 pupils, growing via a carefully managed phased model to ensure high-quality induction, staffing, therapeutic support and curriculum pathways.
- Part of the Horizon Care & Education Group, with strong central support in SEND, curriculum, safeguarding and governance.
- Our mission: “A nurturing school community where we inspire and learn together.” Values: Compassionate, Inspiring, Dependable, Collaborative.
About the role — Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral Lead)
You will be a senior leader with primary responsibility for behaviour, attitudes and pastoral provision across the Thornycroft family. You will model and embed our values in everything we do, drive high expectations and create a culture where pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
About you — the ideal candidate
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) with SLT experience in an SEN/Specialist setting, ideally with SEMH experience.
- Strong, demonstrable expertise in safeguarding, behaviour management and pastoral systems.
- Skilled in restorative practice, trauma-informed approaches and multi-disciplinary working.
- A values-driven leader who models high expectations and builds positive, solution-focused relationships with pupils, families and staff.
- Experience developing enrichment, community partnerships and pathways that support preparation for adulthood.
- Confident data-informed leader who can evaluate impact and drive continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Lead behaviour and attitudes: design, implement and monitor a restorative behaviour strategy that enables pupils to learn, reflect, and grow. Ensure consistent application across the school.
- Model and instill school values: champion Compassionate, Inspiring, Dependable and Collaborative practice in staff and pupils; lead staff briefings, coaching and culture-setting activities.
- Pastoral leadership: develop and line-manage the staff team, family liaison and mentoring arrangements; ensure timely multi-agency working and strong parent/carer engagement.
- Cultural capital and enrichment: create rich, meaningful experiences that broaden pupils’ horizons, build aspirations and foster social and cultural awareness; develop links with local and wider community partners, employers and colleges.
- Safeguarding and welfare: work with the Headteacher and DSL to maintain robust safeguarding systems and timely responses to concerns; lead on welfare, attendance, and early intervention strategies.
- Drive standards: lead on attitudes to learning, punctuality and attendance improvement; analyse behaviour and wellbeing data to target interventions and demonstrate impact.
- Restorative practice: embed restorative conversations and communication strategies tailored to pupils’ communication profiles, supported by speech and language colleagues and therapists.
- Professional development: mentor and coach staff in trauma-informed approaches, de-escalation techniques and restorative practice; plan and deliver relevant CPD.
- Policy and compliance: ensure pastoral, behaviour and safeguarding policies are current, clearly communicated and OFSTED-aligned; contribute to quality assurance and reporting.
What we offer
- A senior pastoral leadership role with real scope to shape culture and outcomes in a new specialist school.
- Access to Horizon Central Team expertise in SEND, safeguarding, curriculum and governance.
- A supportive team culture focused on wellbeing, therapeutic practice and continuous improvement.
- Opportunities to design and deliver enrichment and community partnership programmes aligned with OFSTED (2025) expectations.
One Horizon
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!
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Assistant Headteacher - (Thornycroft SEN School - Oldham employer: Horizon Care Ltd
At Olympus Academy in South Croydon, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our SENCOs. With a strong emphasis on professional development, our staff benefit from comprehensive support from senior leadership, ensuring they can focus on delivering high-quality education to our diverse student body. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs while enjoying a collaborative culture that values your contributions and aspirations.
