Job Description
Together St Paul’s Trust — a long-standing, community anchored charity with over 46 years of impact — is seeking an exceptional Headteacher to lead St Paul’s Independent School, our specialist SEMH provision for secondary and post16 learners.
This is not a traditional Headship! This is your chance to join a values-driven organisation where education, youth work, family support, wellbeing services and even a city farm come together to create a fairer and brighter future for communities.
What You’ll Lead
* A specialist SEMH school with a strong identity and a commitment to trauma-informed, inclusive practice.
* A culture of ambition, improvement and innovation, ensuring every pupil receives the high-quality education they deserve.
* A dedicated staff team through strong, values-based leadership, supervision and professional growth.
* Trust-wide collaboration that joins education seamlessly with youth, family and community services.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
* Driving school improvement with pace, clarity and impact.
* Ensuring curriculum excellence tailored to SEMH needs.
* Maintaining inspection readiness and high-quality self-evaluation.
* Growing pupil numbers and strengthening key relationships with commissioners and SEND teams.
* Overseeing safeguarding as a central, non-negotiable priority.
* Managing finances, operations and governance with transparency and confidence.
Who We’re Looking For
An inspiring educational leader who is:
* Experienced in SEMH or specialist SEN provision
* Skilled in strategic school improvement and Ofsted preparation
* A confident people leader who supports, motivates and challenges
* Collaborative, community-minded and aligned with our values
* Calm, resilient and therapeutic in their approach
* Passionate about holistic support for young people
* Ready to be an integral part of the Trust’s senior leadership
If you’re committed to inclusion, driven by purpose, and ready to lead a school that transforms lives — we want to hear from you.
Why St Paul’s?
* A strong culture rooted in values, care and community
* A school that is ready for its next chapter of growth and impact
* The opportunity to be part of something much bigger than one school
For further details and an application form please visit our website:
Closing date: 7th April 2026 12noon Interviews: 23rd April 2026
All members of staff employed by the Trust have an individual responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children/young people and vulnerable adults that they are responsible for, or come into contact with.
It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate obtains a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure.