Alternative Provision Lead

Aspire People; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Job summary

Aspire People is recruiting on behalf of an innovative Alternative Provision in Rochdale for an experienced Alternative Provision Lead. This role blends leadership with teaching, and is ideal for someone passionate about driving improvement while supporting pupils and staff daily.

You will work with senior leaders to ensure high-quality education, re-engagement with learning, and progression towards qualifications.

Qualifications

• Must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Experience in Alternative Provision, PRUs, SEMH settings, or specialist SEND environments.
• Proven leadership experience within education.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and commitment to inclusion.
• Ability to support pupils with SEMH and complex needs.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Resilient, solution-focused and highly organized.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
• Deliver and model high-quality classroom practice.
• Lead on a personalised and ambitious curriculum.
• Lead quality assurance activities, including lesson observations and progress reviews.
• Promote a culture of high expectations, inclusion and positive relationships.
• Work collaboratively with schools, families, local authorities and external agencies.
• Support admissions, transitions and pupil reintegration plans.
• Contribute to safeguarding, behaviour support and pastoral provision.
• Coach and develop staff to improve practice and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff coaching

Relationship-building

Resilience

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Experience in Alternative Provision/SEMH

Job description

Alternative Provision Lead

Location: Rochdale

Salary: £34,000 - £46,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Start Date: ASAP

Aspire People is recruiting on behalf of an innovative Alternative Provision in Rochdale for an experienced Alternative Provision Lead. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation committed to supporting young people with SEMH, SEND and barriers to mainstream education through a trauma-informed, relationship-led approach.

This role combines leadership responsibilities with a teaching commitment, making it ideal for a candidate who is passionate about driving improvement while remaining actively involved in supporting pupils and staff on a day-to-day basis.

As Alternative Provision Lead, you will work closely with senior leaders to ensure pupils receive a high-quality educational experience that enables them to re-engage with learning, achieve qualifications and progress towards positive destinations.

You will help shape the strategic direction of the provision while maintaining a visible presence in classrooms and supporting the ongoing development of curriculum, teaching and safeguarding practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across teaching, learning and pupil outcomes
• Deliver and model high-quality classroom practice
• Support the development of a personalised and ambitious curriculum
• Lead on quality assurance activities, including lesson observations and progress reviews
• Promote a culture of high expectations, inclusion and positive relationships
• Work collaboratively with schools, families, local authorities and external agencies
• Support admissions, transitions and pupil reintegration plans
• Contribute to safeguarding, behaviour support and pastoral provision
• Coach and develop staff to improve practice and outcomes

The successful candidate will:

• Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Have experience working within Alternative Provision, PRUs, SEMH settings or specialist SEND environments
• Demonstrate successful leadership experience within education
• Have strong knowledge of safeguarding and inclusion
• Be confident supporting pupils with SEMH, SEND and complex needs
• Be resilient, solution-focused and highly organised
• Have excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Why Apply?

• Permanent leadership opportunity
• Ability to influence the development of a growing provision
• Small class sizes and personalised approaches to learning
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on vulnerable young people's lives
• Competitive salary package

Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.