Headteacher - Specialist School

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:15am – 4:00pm, Term Time

We are working with a vibrant and nurturing specialist school in Northenden, Greater Manchester, supporting children with additional needs across KS1 and KS2.

The school has three specialist classes, each supporting no more than six pupils. This enables a highly personalised approach, with individualised learning plans, consistent adult support and a curriculum tailored to each child's needs and development.

Pupils have a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD and PDA
, and some present with significant and complex behaviours. The school offers a supportive and therapeutic environment, while maintaining clear boundaries, structure and high expectations.

We are seeking an experienced Headteacher with a strong background in specialist education and a proven ability to lead effectively in complex settings.

You will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across the school, driving improvement, developing staff and ensuring pupils receive high-quality education and support.

This is a visible, hands-on role suited to a leader who can build strong relationships while providing clear direction and making confident decisions when challenges arise.

• Provide effective strategic and operational leadership across the school.
• Lead school improvement and ensure high standards of teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
• Develop the school's specialist provision in line with the needs of its pupils.
• Establish a positive culture of consistency, inclusion, accountability and high expectations.
• Oversee behaviour, ensuring approaches are consistent, individualised and appropriate to pupils' needs.
• Support and develop staff through coaching, supervision and targeted training.
• Ensure EHCP provision, safeguarding and statutory responsibilities are effectively delivered.
• Work collaboratively with families, therapists and external professionals.
• Monitor quality across the school and identify opportunities for continued improvement.
• Promote staff wellbeing and a supportive professional culture.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a specialist, SEND or alternative provision setting.
• Proven experience working with pupils with complex additional needs and challenging behaviour
  .
• Experience leading school improvement and developing staff teams.
• Strong knowledge of autism and other complex needs.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and statutory responsibilities.

• A confident and credible specialist education leader.
• Calm, resilient and decisive when faced with challenging situations.
• Warm and compassionate, while able to maintain clear boundaries and expectations.
• Visible and hands-on, with a genuine commitment to pupil and staff wellbeing.
• An excellent communicator who can build positive relationships with pupils, staff, families and professionals.