Job Title: Head Teacher
Location: Preston
Salary: £55000-£65000
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Start Date: ASAP
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The Head Teacher will provide inspirational, strategic and operational leadership for a small Ofsted-registered independent specialist secondary school supporting approximately 20 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The successful candidate will ensure the school delivers an outstanding, safe and nurturing provision, enabling pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The postholder will be responsible for maintaining full compliance with Ofsted and the Independent School Standards, ensuring high quality teaching and learning, and embedding a strong culture of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and inclusion.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a committed, resilient and compassionate professional who is confident leading a small team and shaping a highly personalised educational environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership & School Development
* Provide clear vision and direction aligned with the school’s ethos and values.
* Lead and implement the School Development Plan, ensuring measurable improvement.
* Drive a culture of high expectations, inclusion, aspiration and positive behaviour.
* Ensure the school remains inspection-ready at all times.
* Monitor provision effectiveness through evaluation, audits, and self-assessment.
2. Quality of Education
* Ensure a broad, balanced, and personalised curriculum suitable for pupils with SEMH and ASD.
* Oversee planning, assessment and progress tracking to ensure pupils make strong progress from their starting points.
* Lead and support teaching staff to deliver creative, differentiated and engaging lessons.
* Promote consistent use of strategies that support neurodiverse learners, including sensory regulation, structured routines and communication approaches.
* Ensure literacy, numeracy, life skills and emotional development are embedded throughout the curriculum.
3. Behaviour, Attitudes & SEMH Support
* Lead on the development of an effective, trauma-informed behaviour culture.
* Ensure behaviour support plans, risk assessments and de-escalation strategies are robust and consistently implemented.
* Promote restorative approaches and positive reinforcement strategies.
* Ensure staff are trained and confident in managing challenging behaviour safely and appropriately.
* Work closely with therapists, support workers and external professionals to meet pupils’ emotional and mental health needs.
4. Safeguarding & Pastoral Care
* Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or ensure robust leadership of safeguarding practice.
* Maintain a strong safeguarding culture across the school, ensuring safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
* Ensure compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), safer recruitment, and safeguarding legislation.
* Ensure pupils feel safe, respected and supported, with high-quality pastoral systems in place.
* Manage referrals and work effectively with local authorities, social care, CAMHS, and other agencies.
5. Ofsted, Compliance & Independent School Standards
* Ensure full compliance with the Independent School Standards, including:
* Quality of education
* Behaviour and welfare
* Premises and health & safety
* Leadership and management
* Safeguarding
* Maintain policies and documentation in line with statutory requirements.
* Ensure effective oversight of record keeping, including SCR, safeguarding logs, incident reports, risk assessments and attendance systems.
* Lead the school through inspections and maintain excellent relationships with Ofsted and commissioning bodies.
6. Staff Leadership & Professional Development
* Lead, motivate and manage a small multidisciplinary staff team.
* Conduct appraisals, performance management and supervision in line with school procedures.
* Identify training needs and ensure staff have access to appropriate CPD, particularly in:
* Autism awareness
* SEMH strategies
* Trauma-informed practice
* Safeguarding
* Positive handling (if applicable)
* Promote a culture of wellbeing, teamwork and accountability.
7. Operational & Financial Management
* Oversee day-to-day operational management of the school, ensuring smooth and effective running.
* Work closely with the proprietor/directors to ensure the school operates within budget.
* Ensure staffing levels meet pupil needs and maintain safe ratios.
* Ensure effective systems for admissions, attendance, timetabling, staffing, and resourcing.
* Maintain oversight of premises safety, health and safety compliance, and site management.
8. Partnership Working & Stakeholder Engagement
* Build strong and professional relationships with parents/carers, local authorities and commissioners.
* Attend review meetings, EHCP reviews, PEP meetings and multi-agency discussions.
* Act as a strong advocate for pupils and families.
* Promote the school positively to external stakeholders, supporting pupil placement growth and sustainability.
* Maintain excellent communication with families, ensuring transparency and trust.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
* Significant leadership experience in a school setting (Head Teacher, Deputy Head, or equivalent).
* Strong understanding of SEMH and ASD needs, including practical experience supporting learners with complex behaviour.
* Proven ability to lead school improvement and raise standards.
* Excellent knowledge of Ofsted expectations and Independent School Standards.
* Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience acting as DSL or senior safeguarding lead.
* Experience of working with EHCP pupils and multi-agency professionals.
* Strong understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches to education.
* Ability to remain calm, resilient and decisive in challenging situations.
* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Desirable Criteria
* NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification.
* Experience working within an independent specialist provision.
* Experience leading an Ofsted inspection.
* Experience managing budgets and staffing structures.
* Knowledge of alternative provision frameworks and commissioning processes.
Key Skills & Attributes
* Compassionate and pupil-centred leadership style
* Strong organisational and operational management ability
* Resilient and emotionally intelligent
* Confident decision-maker
* Skilled in conflict resolution and staff supervision
* Passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners
* Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
* Ability to lead by example and work in a hands-on manner
Safeguarding Commitment
TEG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, prohibition checks, satisfactory references, and safer recruitment vetting in line with statutory guidance.