Head of Birch Wood College; BIRBC)

Salary
:
Leadership Scale L5- L9 (£57,137 - £63,070 per annum)

Hours: 32.5 Hours per week; 52 Weeks per year

Contract type: Full-time;
Permanent

Location: Birch Wood College (satellite provision within a mainstream sixth form)

Reports to: Head of School

Safeguarding Requirement: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Birch Wood School is an ambitious, vibrant and nurturing SEND community where we Enable choices within communities. Every pupil is supported to achieve their personal best. Our expert staff, strong culture of aspiration and inclusive ethos make Birch Wood an exceptional place to learn and work.

Our secondary and post‑16 sites provide a rich, personalised and aspirational learning experience for pupils with a wide range of needs. Across the three settings, pupils benefit from:

• A purposeful and supportive learning environment
• High-quality teaching from skilled SEND practitioners
• An ambitious curriculum shaped around formal and semi-formal pathways
• Strong pastoral care and preparation for adulthood
• Specialist environments designed to promote independence, communication and personal growth

You will play a central role in maintaining and strengthening the identity, culture and high expectations across these three interconnected sites.

As Head of Birchwood College
, you will provide visible, confident and operational leadership within Birchwood College. You will work closely with the Associate Headteacher and Executive Headteacher to translate strategic priorities into everyday practice - ensuring exceptional teaching, outstanding care and a culture where every pupil can thrive.

• Provide strong, visible leadership across all three sites.
• Coordinate daily operations, staffing and routines, ensuring smooth and consistent practice.

• Support a curriculum that enables pupils to achieve GCSEs, Entry Levels and meaningful qualifications.
• Ensure statutory responsibilities, assessment cycles and reporting are all delivered to high standards.

• Lead behaviour culture using evidence-informed systems.
• Promote wellbeing for pupils and staff, working closely with families and agencies.
• Serve as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).

• Ensure each site is safe, compliant and well‑managed.
• Oversee enrichment, events, transitions and wider opportunities for learners aged 11-19.

• Lead parental engagement and communication across sites
• Oversee admissions and transitions
• Represent Birch Wood within the community, the Trust and with external partners.

• Track progress, attendance and behaviour for all learners across sites.
• Use feedback from pupils, staff and families to inform continuous improvement.
• Contribute to school development planning and long‑term strategy.

• An experienced and inspirational leader with a passion for SEND.
• Highly effective in overseeing the operational day‑to‑day running of a busy school, including the management of staffing, cover, HR processes, attendance systems and daily routines.
• Confident in coordinating practice across multiple sites and ensuring smooth, well‑organised operations.
• Values‑driven, emotionally intelligent and motivated by moral purpose.
• Ready to embrace innovation and lead Birch Wood Vale, Ashton House and Birch Wood College into the future.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Access to learning networks and visits to other organisations.
• Supportive leadership and a highly…