Head of School - Specialist Provision
Location: Finchley, North London
Salary: £62,759 – £74,829 per annum (actual)
Contract: Full time | Permanent
Start Date: September 2026
Are you a headteacher or senior leader ready for a role where your impact is visible every single day and your vision genuinely shapes a school?
Whether you are already working within a SEND or SEMH setting, or leading in mainstream and looking to transition into a more specialist environment, this is an opportunity to align your leadership with purpose.
Every senior leadership role brings challenge. But too often, leaders find themselves constrained by limited remit, stretched resources, or a vision that doesn’t fully reflect what they know is possible for young people. When that happens, the next step isn’t just change, it’s progression with intent.
Your career matters. You will want to work with people who understand SEND, who listen to what drives you, and who can connect your experience and leadership style to a setting where it will have genuine impact. With September planning already underway, now is the time to explore where your leadership journey could take you next.
We are working in partnership with a specialist multi-site provision in North London to appoint a Head of School to take strategic and operational responsibility for one of their sites. This role sits at the heart of the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Executive Headteacher to shape outcomes for pupils with SEND and SEMH needs.
This is a high-impact leadership role within a therapeutic, inclusive environment, where the focus is on improving behaviour, engagement, learning and long-term life outcomes for young people.
The Role
As Head of School, you will provide clear, values-driven leadership across your site, ensuring a safe, structured and nurturing environment where pupils can thrive. You will translate strategic vision into day-to-day excellence, driving improvements across teaching, behaviour, attendance and personal development.
Working as part of a collaborative leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping whole-school strategy while maintaining a sharp focus on the operational running of your provision.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the strategic direction and daily operations of a specialist SEND / SEMH provision
Drive high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum development tailored to individual needs
Embed a culture of high expectations, strong behaviour systems and pupil engagement
Ensure safeguarding, SEND and SEMH practices meet all statutory and regulatory requirements
Use data intelligently to monitor progress, inform decisions and raise outcomes
Develop and support staff through coaching, performance management and professional development
Manage resources effectively, including staffing, budgets and the learning environment
Build strong relationships with families, external agencies and the wider community
Promote a collaborative culture across sites, sharing best practice and driving continuous improvement
The Setting
This is a well-established specialist provision supporting pupils with a range of additional needs, including social, emotional and mental health. The environment is structured, therapeutic and highly supportive, with a strong emphasis on personalised learning and holistic development.
The organisation is values-led, with a clear commitment to:
Putting young people and their families at the centre
Maintaining high standards and accountability at all levels
Striving for excellence through continuous improvement
Building respectful, inclusive relationships
Working collaboratively across teams and services
Who We’re Looking For
An experienced senior leader or headteacher with a strong track record of impact
Experience in SEND, SEMH or a strong desire to transition into specialist education
A confident, visible leader who can inspire staff and engage pupils
Strong understanding of safeguarding, behaviour and inclusive practice
A strategic thinker who can also deliver operational excellence
A collaborative professional who values teamwork and shared success
Why This Role
This is more than a leadership post, it is an opportunity to shape a provision, influence outcomes at scale, and work within a forward-thinking organisation investing in its people and its future.
If you are ready for a role where your leadership truly matters, and where you can help create meaningful change for young people, this is the right time to explore your next move.
Apply now or get in touch to discuss how this opportunity aligns with your leadership journey.
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