Overview
Be at the forefront of shaping a new specialist school in the North West. Bright Futures currently has two successful, independent specialist schools in St Helens and Lymm, and is expanding its educational offer in the North West. We are committed to providing high-quality education where children feel safe, valued, and have a sense of belonging. Our educational vision is to awaken the potential of every child and young person. We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Headteacher to lead our next school, supporting young people aged 5-18 with autism, moderate to severe learning difficulties, and complex needs. Your leadership should reflect our core educational values and moral purpose. Reporting to the Executive Lead for Education, you will provide strategic direction and management of the school, ensuring excellence in all aspects of education and outstanding outcomes for all students.
This role is ideal for someone with strong leadership experience and a commitment to improving outcomes for all students. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post and stage of recruitment, including social media and references and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). All posts are subject to satisfactory statutory employment checks and referencing.
Role
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our Bright Futures Team to play a key role in the development of our brand-new school in Salford and to:
* Be at the forefront of shaping a new specialist school in the North West.
* Join a wider leadership team with the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of current and future schools.
* Work in a supportive, collaborative environment where staff development and wellbeing are valued.
* Competitive salary with a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
Headteacher Responsibilities
* Ensure there is a commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity.
* Uphold high and ambitious expectations for all and promote an inclusive culture that enables all students to access the curriculum.
* Ensure the school operates within required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties.
* Lead and manage the senior leadership team in line with roles and responsibilities.
* Oversee the daily operations of the school to ensure it is well-managed and aligned with strategic goals.
* Ensure policies, practices, and procedures are understood by all staff to reduce risk and ensure consistency of practice.
* Drive continuous improvement through a robust school development plan and quality assurance procedures, including supervision and appraisal.
* Identify barriers to school effectiveness and develop timely, realistic improvement strategies.
* Promote a culture of collaboration across the school and other Bright Futures schools.
* Have a strategic overview of referrals and admissions, liaising with local authorities to promote the school values and growth.
* Ensure a culture of staff professionalism and professional development for all.
Notes: This description is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility; specifics are outlined in the Headteacher Job Description. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the role and any other reasonable responsibilities.
Requirements
Qualifications and experience
* Qualified teacher status or equivalent
* Degree or equivalent
* National professional qualification for headship (NPQH) (preferred)
* Minimum of 3 years of successful leadership and management experience in a school
* Experience of Autism/LD is desirable
Additional Requirements
* A track record of getting the best outcomes for all students and promoting the ethos and values of the school
* Commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity
* A high level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information
* Effective ICT skills
* Experience in school self-evaluation and development planning
* Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development
* Data analysis skills to set targets and identify improvements
* Understanding of high-quality teaching based on evidence, with the ability to model this for others
* Experience of curriculum development
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with children, staff, parents and external agencies
* Commitment to uphold the Nolan Principles (7 principles of public life)
* Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
* Proactive and self-motivated
* Understanding of education policy in the context of quality assurance and enhancement policies
* Up-to-date knowledge of regulations and compliance requirements in the education sector
* Strong ethical standards and alignment with the organisation's values
* Flexibility to cover business needs
Salary and opportunities
The Headship salary scale for this school is £50,000 - £57,500 plus an LTIP. Due to growth plans, we are interested in candidates who can set up and lead an additional satellite school; salary scale for this would be £70,000 to £80,000 plus an LTIP.
Dates
Closing Date: 14 October 2025
Interview Date: 17 October 2025
Start Date: January or April 2026
Benefits
* Meals provided at work
* Referral and reward schemes
* Life insurance
* Simply Health scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Training and development
About Bright Futures
Join the team at Bright Futures and awaken your potential while improving the lives of the people we support. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with autism, special educational and complex needs. Our team is passionate about improving lives and we invest in our people to support their personal and professional growth.
Visits to one of our schools and a meeting with the Executive Lead for Education are encouraged.
Job function
* Education and Training
Industry
* Education
Location: Salford, United Kingdom
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