Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to inspire and support students in their educational journey.
- Company: Progress Schools, a caring and innovative educational provider.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, wellbeing resources, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on nurturing and empowering students.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant subject, QTS or QTLS, and proven leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head of Schools: Empower Futures
Do you want to work for a company where wellbeing is more than a word, it’s a commitment? Somewhere where the person matters as much as the professional?
Progress Schools takes a caring, people-first approach. Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics—enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources, and dedicated counselling support. We strive to reduce surplus admin to let you focus on pupils.
Your work-life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers, and flexibility where possible.
We invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do for the students who attend our schools.
But that’s not all, we also offer…
- Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in-house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!
- Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
- Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.
- Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.
- Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.
- Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards
- Weekly drop ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop-ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT
- Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.
Who are we looking for from you?
- Engagement Skills: Demonstrated ability to inspire and engage learners, supporting them in achieving their ambitions. Able to bring fresh ideas, creativity, and proactive leadership to both the classroom and wider school environment.
- Emotional Support: Passionate about making a tangible, positive difference in the lives of young people—particularly those requiring additional support.
- Academic Background: Degree in a relevant subject area is essential.
- Core Teaching Qualifications: QTS or QTLS (or an overseas equivalent) is required. NPQH or working towards it is desirable.
- Experience: Proven leadership experience in an educational setting (Head of Department, SLT, or Headteacher level), ideally within an alternative provision or similar setting. Experience managing staff teams and small school cohorts is essential.
- Teaching Subjects: Strong understanding and oversight of core subject delivery (English, Maths, Science), with a track record of improving teaching and learning outcomes.
- Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the alternative provision landscape, school compliance requirements, and Independent School Standards. Familiarity with working with learners with SEN and additional needs is key.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive in addressing challenges and implementing effective solutions to enhance pupil outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills with staff, learners, and external stakeholders.
- Promotion of Values: A clear commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, wellbeing, and British values within the school community.
- Time Management: Excellent time management skills with the ability to balance leadership responsibilities, staff development, curriculum oversight, and regulatory compliance.
About the School:
Progress Schools is part of The Progress Group, the Group is made up of six business units, each aiming to innovate, influence, and inspire through high-quality and purposeful education and training. Progress Schools is a national group of 13 independent OFSTED-regulated schools.
At Progress Schools – Stockport we support approximately 20 pupils on roll to provide opportunities for children who need a nurturing, encouraging and supportive environment, specifically for those reintegrating back into a mainstream setting. The school consists of a core team of four teachers and four support staff, with additional support from regional and national staff across our group.
Please [click here] to view the Job Description.
How to Apply: Ready to be a part of our journey? Submit your application with a brief note about your training philosophy by clicking APPLY. If you have any further queries, please contact our recruitment team via email.
Let\\\’s redefine education together! #JoinOurTeam #EducationRevolution #AlternativeEducation #HeadOfSchoolWanted
Diversity and Inclusion Statement: The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.
Safeguarding Statement: We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. For details of our commitment to safer recruitment please visit our website for further information.
Note: We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of School - Stockport employer: Progress Schools Ltd
Contact Detail:
Progress Schools Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of School - Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend local events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. 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 those interviews! Research Progress Schools thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to share specific examples of your leadership and engagement skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for education! During interviews or networking, express your commitment to making a positive impact on students' lives. Share stories that highlight your emotional support skills and how you've helped learners overcome challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our caring, people-first approach at Progress Schools.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of School - Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and supporting young people shine through. We want to see how you can inspire and engage learners, so share specific examples of your experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Head of School. Highlight your leadership experience and understanding of the alternative provision landscape. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
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 the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Progress Schools Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the alternative provision landscape and the specific needs of learners with SEN. Brush up on your knowledge of core subjects like English, Maths, and Science, as well as the Independent School Standards. This will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your leadership experience in educational settings. Think about times when you've inspired and engaged learners or managed staff teams effectively. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges and implemented solutions to improve outcomes for pupils.
✨Emphasise Wellbeing and Support
Since the company values wellbeing, be prepared to talk about how you prioritise emotional support for students. Share your strategies for creating a nurturing environment and how you plan to promote mental health and wellbeing among both staff and pupils.
✨Engage with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the company's commitment to safeguarding, equality, and diversity. During the interview, reflect these values in your responses and demonstrate how you would promote them within the school community. This alignment will resonate well with the interviewers.