Head of School

Integrity Education Solutions Limited; City Of London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Integrity Education Solutions invites applications for a Head of School to lead the Semi-Formal provision in a specialist school in South London, starting January 2027 or sooner. This senior leadership role requires a strong SEND background and a commitment to trauma-informed practice, inclusion and high aspirations for pupils with complex needs.

You will oversee welfare, academic progress, curriculum development, behaviour, safeguarding and staff development, line-manage staff, and work with

Qualifications

• QTS and senior leadership experience in SEMI-FORMAL, SEND or alternative provision.
• Experience leading behaviour, pastoral or inclusion strategies.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and EHCP experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the Semi-Formal provision.
• Oversee pupils’ welfare, progress and personal development.
• Lead curriculum development to suit complex needs.
• Ensure trauma-informed, inclusive teaching and use EHCP outcomes.
• Drive behaviour, attendance and safeguarding across the provision.
• Line manage and develop staff; recruit, induct and appraisal.
• Engage with families, Local Authorities and external agencies.
• Manage day-to-day provision operations and budgeting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

SEND expertise

Data analysis

Staff development

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

NPQML/NPQSL/NPQH (advantageous)

Job description

Integrity Education Solutions are supporting a specialist school with the appointment of an experienced and ambitious Head of School to lead its Semi-Formal provision, based in South London from January 2027 or sooner, dependent on availabilty.

This is a key senior leadership opportunity for an education professional with a strong background in SEND, alternative provision or Semi-Formal education who can provide clear strategic and operational leadership while ensuring pupils experience a safe, inclusive and aspirational learning environment.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for the welfare and academic progress of pupils within the provision, while leading curriculum development, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, staff development and partnership working. This is an opportunity for a visible and values-driven leader to make a significant contribution to whole-school improvement and ensure Semi-Formal principles are embedded consistently across the provision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision, direction and leadership for the Semi-Formal provision, aligned with the wider school ethos and improvement priorities.
• Take overall responsibility for pupils’ welfare, academic progress, engagement and personal development.
• Lead, develop and monitor an ambitious, adaptive curriculum responsive to pupils’ developmental, emotional and academic needs.
• Ensure teaching and learning are trauma-informed, relational and inclusive, with effective use of EHCP outcomes.
• Drive high standards of behaviour, attendance and personal development through positive and restorative approaches.
• Lead safeguarding within the provision, maintaining a strong culture of vigilance and working closely with DSLs, local authorities and external agencies.
• Line manage, develop and support staff, including recruitment, induction, deployment, appraisal and professional development.
• Promote consistent, high-quality practice through coaching, modelling, quality assurance and reflective practice.
• Represent the provision at EHCP reviews, multi-agency meetings and professional forums, working closely with families and external professionals.
• Oversee the day-to-day organisation of the provision, including staffing, timetabling, resources, risk management and effective use of budgets.
• Contribute to school self-evaluation, development planning, inspection readiness and whole-school improvement.
• Teach where required to support pupils, model best practice or meet operational needs.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced SEND or specialist education leader with a strong understanding of Semi-Formal principles and the ability to lead staff and provision with calmness, consistency and purpose.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Successful teaching and leadership experience within a Semi-Formal, SEND or alternative provision setting.
• Experience leading behaviour, pastoral or inclusion strategies.
• Strong experience working with pupils with EHCPs and complex needs.
• Proven line management and staff development experience.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND legislation and statutory guidance.
• A secure understanding of trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.
• The ability to analyse data and use evidence to drive improvement.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• High levels of resilience, empathy and effective problem-solving ability.
• Leadership qualification such as NPQML, NPQSL or NPQH and experience of Ofsted or equivalent inspection processes, and experience of multi-agency working or alternative pathways would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity for a senior specialist education professional to:

• Lead a dedicated Semi-Formal provision as part of an established specialist school.
• Shape curriculum, teaching, behaviour and pastoral practice for pupils with complex needs.
• Lead and develop a committed staff team.
• Influence whole-school improvement and contribute to strategic leadership.
• Build strong partnerships with families, local authorities, therapists, Educational Psychologists and Social Workers.
• Champion trauma-informed, relational and inclusive practice.
• Make a meaningful difference to pupils’ academic progress, wellbeing, independence and personal development.

Salary: £65,000 - £85,000 (Dependent on experience)

Integrity Education Solutions is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to comply with all safeguarding, child protection, equality and health and safety requirements and will be subject to the appropriate safer-recruitment checks