Head of Primary – SEMH & SEND Provision. Job in Manchester Education & Training Jobs

Head of School – Primary SEMH & SEND Provision

Location: Greater ManchesterSalary: £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 role offers an opportunity for a strong educational leader passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and creating inclusive environments where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Role

• Take responsibility for the day‑to‑day operational leadership of the provision, ensuring high-quality education, therapeutic support, and inclusive practice.
• Combine strategic leadership, staff management, safeguarding oversight, and school improvement within a specialist SEMH and SEND environment.
• 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.
• Collaborate 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 of 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.

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

#J-18808-Ljbffr…