Assistant Headteacher

Are you an experienced leader ready to inspire and transform education? Here at The Heights Academy, we are seeking a highly effective, creative and inspirational Assistant Headteacher who has a proven track record in either enhancing the Quality of Education or leading SEND and Inclusion. This is an exciting and unique opportunity! Being involved at the beginning of the journey of a new school is not something that presents itself very often. The Heights Academy opened in September 2023 in a brand-new build, and this is an opportunity to be part of the next stage of our journey. Now in our second year of opening, we have a PAN of 64 across Key Stage 2, Year 7 and Year 8. Over the next few years, we will grow to a PAN of 116 pupils across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4. All our pupils have an EHCP with a diagnosis of Autism with possible associated SEMH. In our endeavour to meet the wide ranging educational and social needs of our pupils, we provide an appropriate, aspirational curriculum, which encompasses and extends the National Curriculum. Our values as a school underpin everything we do and will be at the centre of the development of this role: Successful Learners, Respectful Citizens, Confident Individuals.

For Quality of Education Leaders:

• We are looking for an exceptional leader to spearhead initiatives that enhance the curriculum, teaching and learning across the school.
• Implement strategies that ensure high standards and expectations driving engagement and pupil progress.
• Make a real difference in the lives of our students, as you inspire and mentor both staff and pupils alike!

For SEND and Inclusion Leaders:

• An outstanding leader to drive the development and implementation of transformative SEND policies and procedures that ensure every pupil thrives in a safe and supportive environment.
• In this pivotal role, you will lead innovative pastoral programs that champion mental health, build resilience, and foster positive relationships throughout our vibrant school community.

It is essential that you are:

• an outstanding leader and teacher who has experience of working with children with special educational needs
• committed to engaging and inspiring our pupils and have the ability to make a real difference to their learning and general well-being
• able to demonstrate real capacity to work in a setting supporting children with Autism
• able to work to a high standard and be receptive to developmental feedback
• a driven and inspiring practitioner who leads the way in terms of innovation and thinking for yourself
• happiest when contributing to creating a collaborative environment in which pupils and staff thrive
• resilient, supportive, kind, aspirational

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it’s about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city. The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence. There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:

• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that’s being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

In return, we offer you:

• exceptional support from Forward Education Trust
• a friendly and inclusive working environment with a commitment to creating work-life balance and promoting staff wellbeing
• excellent remuneration package and benefits
• opportunity to continue your professional development journey
• the opportunity to make a huge contribution to the education and lives of children who respond very positively to high-quality teaching and support

Forward Education Trust is an established MAT of seven special schools based in the West Midlands, covering areas in Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an employee value proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:

• Teacher's Pension Scheme or Support Staff Local Government Pension Scheme employer contribution
• FET HUB - all employee information all in one place
• paid for health cash plan - employee and dependent children benefit, with option to add partner
• employee questionnaire - consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
• salary sacrifice scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• access to the NHS approved Thrive app, supporting mental health and wellbeing
• comprehensive induction and probation support and an ongoing performance management and appraisal system
• easy purchase scheme, salary deduction
• Smart Tech in association with Currys
• enhanced Employee Assistance Programme free, totally confidential advice with face-to-face consultations
• personal and professional learning and development, including FLICK online learning
• access to discounts and offers from Reward Gateway and MyPerks
• occupational health service to support the needs of individual staff
• staff recognition, e-cards to celebrate success among colleagues, awards throughout the year in line with Trust behaviours and values
• Mental Health First Aiders
• policies being developed to support positive health and wellbeing, family friendly working, special leave of absence, flexible working and menopause

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.