Kirby Moor School
Headteacher
Basic Salary: £50,000 - £65,000
Contract: Full Time, Term time only
Benefits: Professional Development opportunities, Enhanced pension scheme, Free on-site parking, CPD through internal and external providers, Salary sacrifice schemes such as Cycle to Work, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Location: Brampton, Cumbria/Haltwhistle, Northumberland
We are looking for a collaborative, inspiring, and values-driven Headteacher who can combine strategic leadership with a visible, supportive presence across our school community. Working in partnership with the Executive Headteacher, the successful candidate will engage closely with staff, pupils, and families to ensure school priorities align with our organisation's wider vision. You will lead and empower two Deputy Headteachers (one per site), fostering their growth and creating a strong, cohesive leadership team in order to support.
About our School
Kirby Moor School supports up to 75 boys aged 7-18 with social emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs - some of our children are day placements from the wider communities with some living within our residential homes within the North Lakes Children's Services, a well-established local provider of residential care and education for boys. Operating across two sites, the main Kirby Moor site in Brampton and Herdley Bank site in Haltwhistle, the school provides a broad and balanced curriculum to prepare children and young people for their next step - whether this be further education, employment or training.
Rated Good by Ofsted, Kirby Moor School is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and achievement of every child. Our skilled and compassionate team foster a positive and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered. We improve the resilience, self-esteem and abilities of all the children and young people we work with to prepare them for next step. Our commitment to a holistic approach ensures that academic progress is complemented by emotional well-being and personal growth.
Kirby Moor is a part the Polaris Community alongside our current growing portfolio of school across the UK, which are all rated by Ofsted Good or Outstanding. The Polaris Community have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years.
Role responsibilities
Educational Leadership: Develop and implement a vision that aligns with our ethos of the Polaris Community embracing compassion, inclusion, and personalized learning. Provide clear, confident leadership across both school sites, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, care, and outcomes for pupils Be able to lead the school to consistently meet the requirements of the Independent School Standards and the Education Inspection Framework.
Please click "Apply Now" to view the full list of role responsibilities on our Careers portal
Requirements
We are looking for a confident, reflective, and compassionate leader who can balance strategic oversight with a visible, supportive presence.
You will bring:
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree (or equivalent).
* The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) or similar.
* Proven experience of successful leadership within a specialist, independent, or alternative provision setting.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and motivate others.
* Strong financial acumen and experience managing school budgets within a governance framework.
* Sound knowledge of safeguarding, SEND, and the Independent School Standards.
* A trauma-informed approach and a commitment to maintaining a therapeutic, inclusive school culture.
* The ability to form strong relationships with key stakeholders and the wider community.
What we offer
* A workplace that values the emotional health and wellbeing of everybody (you included!)
* A commitment to support your development in acquiring new skills through a wide range of professional opportunities
* An opportunity to make a huge contribution to the lives and lifelong learning of vulnerable children who deserve high quality teaching in a safe educational provision
* A friendly and inclusive team who are passionate about improving pupil outcomes
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this role further, please contact Zoe Chittenden 07920 212308
PandoLogic. Keywords: Residential Services Worker, Location: Brampton, ENG - CA8 2QX