Job Description

Job Overview

Headteacher - New Residential Special School for Children with Learning Disabilities

Contract: Permanent - Term Time Only

Capacity = 20 pupils

As Headteacher, you will provide strategic, operational and inspirational leadership to the school, ensuring outstanding educational provision within a deeply therapeutic context. You will work closely with the wider senior leadership team across care and therapies and network teams, contributing to the life of the whole community. The school will be designed to support a range of needs, including speech and language difficulties, higher-functioning autistic spectrum disorders, and mild learning difficulties.

You will be responsible for:

- Setting the school's vision, values, and strategic direction in partnership with governors.

- Developing and implementing school improvement plans to raise standards and address performance, often using data to guide decisions.

- Implementing new educational techniques and technologies to enhance learning.

- Monitoring the quality of teaching to ensure high standards across all subjects.

- Ensuring a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum that meets national standards.

- Implementing robust, reliable systems for assessing pupil knowledge and tracking progress.

- Ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are supported and that the school complies with the SEND code of practice

- Hiring, training, and assigning staff to ensure the school runs efficiently

- Managing staff performance, conducting appraisals, and addressing underperformance

- Fostering a positive, collaborative, and professional culture that encourages staff development and wellbeing

- Ensuring the protection and safety of all pupils and staff, which includes serving as the lead for safeguarding and child protection

- Creating a safe, orderly environment by establishing high expectations for pupil behaviour and enforcing policies fairly.

- Promoting the welfare of students and ensuring a supportive, caring environment.

- Controlling school finances, setting budgets, and ensuring efficient, transparent use of public funds.

- Managing the school's physical and technical resources

- Overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring compliance with legal regulations

- Building positive relationships with parents, carers, and the local community

- Reporting to the board of governors or trustees on school performance and working with them to achieve goals

- Working with local authorities, other schools, and external agencies

- Acting as a role model with high ethical standards

- Managing high-pressure situations and adapting to changing educational policies

- Being approachable and able to relate to staff, parents, and children

- Clearly communicating the school's vision and policies

The Person

We are looking for a Headteacher who:

- Has successful senior leadership experience in SEN, alternative provision or specialist settings

- Has strong understanding of trauma, attachment and therapeutic education (or a genuine commitment to developing this)

- Is a confident, values-driven leader with emotional intelligence and warmth

- Can lead with clarity, containment and compassion

- Is experienced in Ofsted and regulatory frameworks

- Thrives within complexity and is reflective in their practice

- Experience of working within therapeutic communities, residential education, or complex SEN environments is highly desirable.

Why Join ICS?

- Lead a school where your decisions directly improve the educational outcomes, wellbeing, independence and life chances of vulnerable young people

- Shape a 24-hour provision that integrates education, care, therapy, and safeguarding, allowing you to influence every aspect of pupils' development

- Develop and implement creative, personalised approaches to learning, behaviour support and residential care that truly meet individual needs.

- Collaborate closely with governors, local authorities, families, and agencies to deliver high-quality outcomes and continuous improvement.

- Be part of a reflective, thinking organisation that genuinely prioritises staff development and emotional wellbeing.

We Offer:

- A community that values emotional depth and reflective thinking

- Regular clinical supervision and individualised and group clinical support

- Leadership development and ongoing therapeutic training

- A model where wellbeing is protected - for children and staff

- Company sick pay

- Competitive company pension scheme

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension On-site parking Sick pay Transport links
Licence/Certification:

QTS (required) PGCE (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person