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- Tasks: Lead a nurturing school community and support students with special educational needs.
- Company: Polaris Education, dedicated to improving young lives for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, enhanced pension, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and shape their future.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience with SEN students required.
- Other info: Join a passionate team in a supportive environment with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 51000 £ per year.
Polaris Education - Banbury School
Contract: Full-Time Term Time Only
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 dependent on experience
Additional Benefits: Professional Development opportunities, Enhanced pension scheme, Free on-site parking, CPD through internal and external providers, Salary sacrifice schemes, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Opening Date: Projected opening date September 2026
Are you a compassionate and dedicated educational leader? Do you have a passion for supporting students with special educational needs (SEN)? We are seeking an exceptional Head Teacher to lead our nurturing and inclusive school community.
About the School
Located in Banbury, our School offers a capacity of up to 60 pupils and safe and supportive environments for pupils from 5 to 18 years old with a range of complex needs. We believe in fostering a positive and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our commitment to a holistic approach ensures that academic progress is complemented by emotional well-being and personal growth. Our School will form part of the Polaris Community who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside our current growing portfolio of schools across the UK. We're incredibly proud that 100% of our Education services have been rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
About you
As the Head Teacher, you will be a forward-thinking leader, who will play a pivotal role in building a new team and shaping the educational experience for our students.
Key Responsibilities
- Educational Leadership: Develop and implement a vision that aligns with our ethos of the Polaris Community embracing compassion, inclusion, and personalized learning. 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.
- 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.
- Staff Development: Support and mentor staff, promoting continuous professional growth and fostering a collaborative team spirit.
- Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with parents, carers, and external partners to create a cohesive support network, ensuring the growth and development of the school.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with Primary/Secondary teaching experience.
- Suitable First degree and/or NPQH (not essential).
- Experience working with SEN students and a deep understanding of their unique requirements.
- Proven leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply today. Join us on this exciting journey to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this role further, please contact Zoe Chittenden 07920 212308.
Head Teacher in Oxford employer: Polaris
Contact Detail:
Polaris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Teacher in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend local events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its ethos. Familiarise yourself with their approach to SEN and think about how your vision aligns with theirs. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to lead.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and safeguarding. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Teacher in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and supporting students with special educational needs shine through. We want to see how dedicated you are to making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in educational leadership and working with SEN students. We’re looking for someone who can adapt their skills to fit our nurturing environment, so be specific about how your background aligns with our ethos.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and vision for the role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your vision for the school. Think about how it aligns with the ethos of the Polaris Community. Be ready to articulate how you would implement this vision and ensure it meets the needs of students with special educational needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills. Discuss how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past, especially in educational settings. This will demonstrate your ability to build a new team and foster a collaborative spirit among staff.
✨Emphasise Safeguarding Experience
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed safeguarding concerns and how you've developed a robust safeguarding culture in previous roles.
✨Engage with the Community
Think about ways you've built relationships with parents, carers, and external partners in the past. Be ready to share strategies for community engagement that could help create a supportive network for the school, ensuring the growth and development of both students and the institution.
