Job Description:

Head of School - Primary SEMH & SEND Provision

Location: Greater Manchester
Salary: £42,000 - £48,000 depending on experience
Contract: Full Time | Permanent | Term Time Only

A specialist education provider is seeking an experienced and compassionate Head of School to lead one of its SEMH and SEND provisions in Greater Manchester.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strong educational leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and creating inclusive environments where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The successful candidate will provide visible and proactive leadership across the school, driving high standards in teaching, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing while supporting a culture of accountability, relational practice, and continuous improvement.

The Role

• The Head of School will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational leadership of the provision, working closely with wider senior leadership teams to ensure high-quality education, therapeutic support, and inclusive practice across the setting.
• This role combines strategic leadership, staff management, safeguarding oversight, and school improvement within a specialist SEMH and SEND environment.
• The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining an Ofsted-ready culture while embedding restorative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approaches that positively impact pupil outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operational management of the school, ensuring high standards across education, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing
• Drive school improvement priorities through effective use of data, monitoring, and evaluation
• Lead and support staff performance, development, and accountability across the provision
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure high-quality SEND, SEMH, and pastoral support
• Monitor teaching, learning, interventions, and pupil outcomes to ensure consistent and effective practice
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), ensuring robust safeguarding systems and compliance
• Promote relational, restorative, and trauma-informed approaches throughout the school
• Oversee behaviour systems, attendance strategies, and pupil engagement initiatives
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers, Local Authorities, and external agencies
• Contribute to Ofsted readiness, school improvement planning, and quality assurance processes
• Support staff wellbeing, CPD, recruitment, and professional development
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and aspirational culture where pupils and staff can succeed

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Minimum of 5 years' leadership experience within a primary, secondary, specialist, or alternative provision setting
• Strong experience supporting pupils with SEMH and/or SEND needs
• Experience leading teams, managing staff performance, and driving school improvement
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, behaviour support, and inclusive education practice
• Experience using data to monitor performance and improve outcomes
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with families, professionals, and multidisciplinary teams
• A resilient, reflective, and solution-focused leadership style
• Commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable learners

Desirable Experience

• NPQH or working towards a leadership qualification
• Experience within specialist education or alternative provision settings
• Experience supporting Ofsted inspections and maintaining an Ofsted-ready environment
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, restorative, and therapeutic approaches
• Experience working within multidisciplinary or therapeutic teams

What's on Offer

• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Term-time only working pattern
• Supportive and collaborative senior leadership structure
• Excellent professional development and progression opportunities
• Opportunity to shape and influence a growing specialist provision
• The chance to make a genuine and lasting difference to young people's lives

This role would suit an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School, SEMH Lead, Inclusion Lead, or senior leader looking to progress within specialist education and alternative provision leadership.

Important Notice

Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn't quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Dovetail and Slate Ltd ((phone number removed)) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters.

© Dovetail and Slate Limited.

Because education matters. Dovetail and Slate Limited ((phone number removed)) acts as an Employment Agency.