Head of School

Dovetail And Slate Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate Limited is seeking a Head of School - Foundation Learning in London to provide strategic and operational leadership across provision for learners with mild to complex needs.

You will lead curriculum and support teams, drive high-quality teaching, learning and assessment, and work to improve outcomes for learners across Foundation Learning. This senior role starts August 2026 and offers a clear pathway to impact and improvement in specialist education.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in SEND/High Needs FE provision.
• Experience managing and developing teams.
• Knowledge of SEND curriculum and quality frameworks.
• Experience with quality improvement, self-assessment and curriculum development.
• A Level 5+ teaching qualification.
• Strong communication, strategic and partnership-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing curriculum and support teams.
• Driving high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.
• Leading SEND/High Needs curriculum development and quality improvement.
• Improving learner achievement, retention, attendance and progression.
• Leading on self-assessment, performance data and improvement planning.
• Developing partnerships with Local Authorities, schools and external agencies.
• Managing staff, resources and budgets effectively.

Skills

SEND leadership

Team leadership

SEND curriculum

Quality improvement

Teaching qualification

Strategic partnerships

Education

Teaching qualification (A Level 5+)

Job description

Head of School - Foundation Learning

Permanent

Location: London

Salary: £53,656 per annum

About the Role

A school in London is seeking a Head of School - Foundation Learning to provide strategic and operational leadership across specialist provision for learners with mild to complex needs.

You’ll lead curriculum and support teams, drive high-quality teaching, learning and assessment, and work to improve outcomes for learners across the Foundation Learning provision. This is a senior leadership role with a start date of August 2026.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing curriculum and support teams.
• Driving high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.
• Leading SEND/High Needs curriculum development and quality improvement.
• Improving learner achievement, retention, attendance and progression.
• Leading on self-assessment, performance data and improvement planning.
• Developing partnerships with Local Authorities, schools and external agencies.
• Managing staff, resources and budgets effectively.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven leadership experience within SEND/High Needs FE provision
• Experience managing and developing teams
• Strong knowledge of SEND curriculum and quality frameworks
• Experience with quality improvement, self-assessment and curriculum development
• A Level 5+ recognised teaching qualification
• Strong communication, strategic and partnership-building skills

This is an excellent opportunity to take a senior leadership role within a specialist Foundation Learning provision and make a real impact on learner outcomes.

Important Notice

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

Because education matters.

© Dovetail and Slate Limited.