Headteacher

• Location: Leiston, Suffolk
• Job Type: Full-time
• Salary: Competitive

An independent specialist school in Leiston, Suffolk, is seeking a dedicated Headteacher to lead and inspire within a therapeutic and child-centred educational environment. Our students, aged 11 to 17, have diverse Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs (SEMH), and many also present with additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Headteacher will play a pivotal role in shaping the school’s future, driving forward our ethos, and ensuring outstanding outcomes for all our pupils.

• Lead the school with a clear, authentic leadership style that inspires and engages staff, students, and the wider community.
• Coordinate the delivery of a holistic curriculum tailored to the individual needs of pupils, including teaching Maths and/or English to GCSE level.
• Manage a team of professionals, providing guidance and support to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning.
• Design and deliver creative and academically engaging curriculums, including vocational BTEC, Functional Skills, or ELC courses.
• Work collaboratively with education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams, and students to secure outstanding outcomes.
• Uphold a strong culture of safeguarding and promote the welfare of all children and young people within the school.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
• Experience working with children with SEMH & SEND, including crisis management and managing challenging behaviour.
• Proven experience in leading a school and delivering successful educational outcomes.
• Ability to teach Maths and/or English to GCSE level, with experience in delivering vocational courses.
• Excellent management skills and the ability to build strong professional relationships.
• Passionate about engaging in all aspects of school life with the resilience to make a significant impact on pupils’ lives.

• Staff laptop and mobile phone.
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities.
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support.
• Opportunity to be part of an expanding national organisation.
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme.
• Flexible pension options.
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, and discounts.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An Enhanced DBS check and social media due diligence checks are required for all staff. All school-based staff must adhere to the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion.

To apply for the Headteacher position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and your vision for leading a specialist educational setting.