Headteacher in Brampton

Basic Salary: £, - £,

Contract: Full Time, Term time only

Benefits: Professional Development opportunities, Enhanced pension scheme, Free on-site parking, CPD through internal and external providers, Salary sacrifice schemes such as Cycle to Work, Life Insurance x, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

Location: Brampton, Cumbria/Haltwhistle, Northumberland

We are looking for a collaborative, inspiring, and values-driven Headteacher who can combine strategic leadership with a visible, supportive presence across our school community. Working in partnership with the Executive Headteacher, the successful candidate will engage closely with staff, pupils, and families to ensure school priorities align with our organisation’s wider vision. You will lead and empower two Deputy Headteachers (one per site), fostering their growth and creating a strong, cohesive leadership team in order to support.

About our School

Kirby Moor School supports up to boys aged - with social emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs – some of our children are day placements from the wider communities with some living within our residential homes within the North Lakes Children’s Services, a well-established local provider of residential care and education for boys. Operating across two sites, the main Kirby Moor site in Brampton and Herdley Bank site in Haltwhistle, the school provides a broad and balanced curriculum to prepare children and young people for their next step - whether this be further education, employment or training. Rated Good by Ofsted, Kirby Moor School is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and achievement of every child. Our skilled and compassionate team foster a positive and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered. We improve the resilience, self-esteem and abilities of all the children and young people we work with to prepare them for next step. Our commitment to a holistic approach ensures that academic progress is complemented by emotional well-being and personal growth. Kirby Moor is a part of the Polaris Community alongside our current growing portfolio of schools across the UK, which are all rated by Ofsted Good or Outstanding. The Polaris Community have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over years.

Role responsibilities

• Educational Leadership: Develop and implement a vision that aligns with our ethos of the Polaris Community embracing compassion, inclusion, and personalized learning. Provide clear, confident leadership across both school sites, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, care, and outcomes for pupils. Be able to lead the school to consistently meet the requirements of the Independent School Standards and the Education Inspection Framework.
• Safeguarding: Acting as the Designated Safeguarding lead and collaborating with safeguarding partners, manage and report all concerns appropriately and put in place policies and procedures to develop a robust safeguarding culture in the school. Oversee premises and health & safety standards, ensuring safe, well-maintained learning environments.
• Curriculum Enhancement: Adapt and tailor the curriculum to meet the diverse needs of our students, ensuring a stimulating and engaging learning journey preparing pupils for next step.
• Pastoral Care and SEN Advocacy: Champion a nurturing pastoral approach, emphasizing emotional well-being, mental health, and social development. Advocate for the rights and needs of our SEN students, aligned with EHCP objectives, within the wider educational community. Maintain rigorous oversight of safeguarding and compliance with statutory requirements within the SEND Code of Practice.
• Staff Development: Support and mentor staff, promoting continuous professional growth and fostering a collaborative team spirit. Lead staff development through CPD, supervision, and reflective practice, fostering a coaching and mentoring culture across the school.
• Community & stakeholders Engagement: Build strong relationships with parents, carers, professionals and external partners to create a cohesive support network, ensuring the growth and development of the school.
• Financial management and accountability: Manage school budgets effectively, ensuring financial accountability, efficiency, and alignment with organisational frameworks. Contribute to the ongoing growth, development, and strategic direction of the wider educational provision within the organisation.

Requirements

We are looking for a confident, reflective, and compassionate leader who can balance strategic oversight with a visible, supportive presence. You will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree (or equivalent).
• The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) or similar.
• Proven experience of successful leadership within a specialist, independent, or alternative provision setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and motivate others.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing school budgets within a governance framework.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, SEND, and the Independent School Standards.
• A trauma-informed approach and a commitment to maintaining a therapeutic, inclusive school culture.
• The ability to form strong relationships with key stakeholders and the wider community.

What we offer

A workplace that values the emotional health and wellbeing of everybody (you included!). A commitment to support your development in acquiring new skills through a wide range of professional opportunities. An opportunity to make a huge contribution to the lives and lifelong learning of vulnerable children who deserve high quality teaching in a safe educational provision. A friendly and inclusive team who are passionate about improving pupil outcomes.