Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- 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 discount schemes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and shape their educational journey.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience with SEN students required.
- Other info: Join a passionate team in a supportive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 51000 £ per year.
Polaris Education - Burnley School
Contract: Full-Time Term Time Only
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 dependent on experience
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 2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Location: Burnley, Lancs
Opening Date: Late Summer term 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 Burnley, our School has a proposed capacity of up to 48 pupils and offers 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. Burnley School will form 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 30 years.
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. Suitable candidates will then be asked to complete a formal application pack ahead of an interview. 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 more, please contact Zoe Chittenden 07920 212308.
Head Teacher in Preston employer: Polaris
Contact Detail:
Polaris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Teacher in Preston
✨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. Understand their approach to SEN and be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs. This shows you're genuinely interested and committed to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your leadership style and how you would foster a nurturing environment for students. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Teacher in Preston
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 Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and ethos of Polaris Education. Highlight your experience and how it aligns with our commitment to compassion, inclusion, and personalised learning.
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 experiences. Avoid fluff – we want to know what makes you the best fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our school community.
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 you can align it with the ethos of the Polaris Community. Be ready to share specific examples of how you would implement this vision in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
✨Showcase Your SEN Experience
Since the role focuses heavily on supporting students with special educational needs, prepare to discuss your past experiences in this area. Bring along examples of successful strategies you've implemented and how they positively impacted students' learning and well-being.
✨Engage with the Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of community engagement. Think of ways you've built relationships with parents, carers, and external partners in the past. Be ready to discuss how you plan to foster these connections at Burnley School.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
Expect questions about your leadership style and how you inspire and motivate staff. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to mentor others and promote professional growth within a collaborative team spirit. This will show that you're not just a leader, but a supportive one too.
