Headteacher

Headteacher – SEN School

Full-time, Term-Time Contract

Location: Cumbria & Northumberland

Salary: £50,000 – £65,000 + 20% Enhanced Pension Scheme

We are seeking a collaborative and dynamic Headteacher to lead across two closely located sites within Cumbria and Northumberland. You will be overseeing two provisions, 20 minutes away from each other, operating under one Ofsted registration.

This role offers the opportunity to provide stable, consistent leadership across well-established SEMH provisions, working closely with Deputy Headteachers and staff teams to support positive outcomes for pupils.

Both schools support children and young people aged 7 - 18 with SEMH needs and operate as part of a well-established organisation with over 30 years’ experience in specialist education and care. All education provisions within the organisation are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

This is your chance to lead a committed staff team, maintain high standards of education and safeguarding, and ensure pupils are supported to make meaningful academic, social, and emotional progress within a trauma-informed environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide clear strategic leadership across both sites, ensuring high standards of education, care, and compliance with the Independent School Standards and Education Inspection Framework.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintaining a strong safeguarding culture and overseeing health & safety and site compliance.
• Lead and adapt a broad, engaging curriculum that meets diverse SEMH and SEND needs and prepares pupils for their next steps.
• Champion a trauma-informed, nurturing pastoral approach, ensuring pupils’ emotional wellbeing and SEN needs are met in line with EHCPs and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Develop, support, and retain staff through effective CPD, supervision, and a coaching-led leadership culture.
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers, local authorities, and external professionals to support pupil outcomes and school development.
• Manage school budgets and resources effectively, contributing to the strategic growth of the wider Polaris education provision.

About You:

• Qualified Teacher Status and a degree (or equivalent), with NPQH or similar leadership qualification desirable.
• Proven experience in specialist, SEND, SEMH, or alternative provision schools; deputies with strong leadership experience are encouraged to apply.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practice, pastoral care, and supporting pupils with autism, ADHD, and complex social-emotional needs.
• Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills, able to inspire confidence and build lasting relationships.
• Excellent financial and operational acumen, including experience managing budgets in an educational setting.
• A reflective, compassionate, and resilient leader, able to balance strategic oversight with visible, supportive engagement across both sites.

What’s On Offer:

• Competitive salary £50,000 - £65,000, with enhanced pension contribution of 20% for headteachers.
• Full-time, term-time contract with opportunities for CPD through internal and external providers.
• A unique opportunity to lead well-established, high-performing schools within a supportive community.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children, improving resilience, self-esteem, and lifelong learning outcomes.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by the school.

Contact Details:

To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Madeleine Crosley at 0161 507 5060 or [email protected]

Recommendations:

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer a £200 John Lewis voucher for successful referrals following completion of probation.