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- Tasks: Lead a team to inspire and support students in their educational journey.
- Company: Join Progress Schools, where wellbeing is a priority and innovation thrives.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, discounted gym memberships, and a free wellbeing app.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while growing your own career.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant subject and core teaching qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Join us as a 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?
Well at Progress Schools, that's just the approach we take.
Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics-enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too.
Your work-life balance matters. That's why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible.
And why do we do this? Because when you thrive, so do our students. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people 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 upholding and promoting 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 of which aspires to innovate, influence, and inspire others 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 ensure that we can provide ample opportunities for children who need a nurturing, encouraging and supportive environment, specifically for those who will reintegrate back into a mainstream setting. The school consists of a core team of four teachers, and four support staff. Further support is also provided by regional and national staff, who work with a number of schools 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, then please get in touch with our friendly recruitment team by emailing
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.
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Head of School - Stockport employer: The Progress Group
Contact Detail:
The Progress Group 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 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’s values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of empowering futures. Remember, it’s all about showcasing how you can make a positive impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Reach out directly to schools you admire, express your interest, and share your vision for education. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from a simple conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It shows you’re serious about joining our team and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application. Plus, you’ll get to highlight your training philosophy right off the bat!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of School - Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for education and how you connect with students.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Head of School. Highlight your leadership experience and how it aligns with our values at Progress Schools. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Philosophy: Don’t forget to include a brief note about your training philosophy as requested. This is your chance to demonstrate your approach to education and how you plan to empower our pupils' futures.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our recruitment team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Progress Group
✨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 passionate but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your leadership experience in educational settings. Think about times when you've inspired staff or improved student outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas and proactive leadership to the school environment.
✨Emphasise Wellbeing and Support
Since the role focuses on wellbeing, be prepared to talk about how you prioritise emotional support for both students and staff. Share your strategies for creating a nurturing environment and how you plan to implement these at Progress Schools.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's culture, professional development opportunities, and how they support staff wellbeing. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.