Job Description
Location – supporting our south region schools based around Croydon, Sutton and Deal.
Join Horizon Care & Education and play a pivotal role in transforming outcomes for young people. As Associate Regional Director, you’ll work alongside Regional Directors to turn our educational vision into consistently high-quality practice across schools, driving improvement where it matters most - in the classroom.
This is a highly visible, school-facing leadership role focused on raising standards, strengthening leadership at every level, and ensuring robust quality assurance and compliance. You will support schools through hands-on coaching, evidence-informed practice, and targeted development, helping translate strategy into measurable impact for students.
What you’ll do:
* Lead school improvement across curriculum, teaching, inclusion, behaviour, and leadership
* Support and develop senior and middle leaders through coaching, modelling, and CPD
* Drive a transparent quality assurance framework aligned to Ofsted and ISS
* Embed evidence-informed practice (including EEF research) into classrooms
* Monitor impact and ensure improvements are visible, sustained, and measurable
* Provide leadership support to schools during periods of challenge or transition
What we’re looking for:
An experienced senior school leader with a proven track record of improving outcomes, developing leaders, and delivering sustainable school improvement. You will bring credibility, resilience, and the ability to influence at all levels, alongside a deep understanding of inspection frameworks and evidence-informed practice.
Essential criteria:
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
* Significant senior leadership experience (e.g. Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher or equivalent)
* Proven track record of leading school improvement with measurable impact on student outcomes
* Strong expertise in curriculum, inclusion/SEND, behaviour, and assessment
* Experience developing and line managing leaders at multiple levels
* Deep understanding of Ofsted, ISS, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks
* Skilled in analysing school data, planning strategically, and driving improvement
* Confident coach, facilitator, and communicator with the ability to influence and build trust
* Resilient, adaptable, and committed to evidence-informed, transparent practice
Desirable criteria:
* NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification
* Postgraduate qualification in education or leadership
* Experience designing and delivering CPD and leadership development programmes
* Experience preparing for inspection and working with external regulators
* Knowledge of earned autonomy models and sustainable improvement strategies
* Experience leading networks, peer reviews, or cross-school collaboration
At Horizon, we are committed to equality, safeguarding, and the welfare of all young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.
Be part of a team where your leadership makes a lasting difference