Headteacher – Brand New SEMH school

Headteacher – New SEMH School

Location: Wigan
Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum 

Build something that matters

We are seeking an exceptional educational leader to become the founding Headteacher of a brand-new specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in Wigan. This school will be registered for up to 44 pupils and is being built from the ground up by an organisation with a strong, established track record in specialist residential care.

You will be central to the Ofsted registration process, the development of policies and procedures, and the recruitment of your own leadership team with the full backing of experienced operational and educational consultancy support behind you.

THE ROLE

What you will lead

Joining in September, you will have a structured preparation period ahead of a planned pupil admission in December/January

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the successful pre-opening phase of the school
• Oversee final preparations for registration and operational launch
• Develop and embed policies, systems and safeguarding procedures
• Recruit and build a high-performing staff team including deputy leadership, teachers and support staff
• Create a positive, therapeutic and aspirational school culture
• Ensure the curriculum meets the needs of pupils with SEMH profiles
• Build strong relationships with families, commissioners and external stakeholders
• Drive high standards of teaching, behaviour, attendance and outcomes from day one
• Lead the school through its first Ofsted inspection and beyond

About You

We are looking for a Headteacher who can bring experience, credibility and vision to this exciting project.

You will have:

• Previous Headteacher or senior leadership experience within specialist or alternative provision settings
• The ability to start in September. 
• Experience of opening a new school or leading significant school improvement projects
• Strong understanding of SEMH, SEND and trauma-informed practice
• Proven success in achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Experience in recruitment, team building and developing staff culture
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to work in partnership with wider organisational stakeholders
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment

Contact Details:

To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Jordanna Osborn at 02394211147 or josborn@compassltd.co.uk         

Compass Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £500 vouchers for each successful recommendation.