Head of School

Pink Tile Education Ltd; Littlehampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pink Tile Education Ltd in Littlehampton seeks an experienced Headteacher to lead an established Alternative Provision serving primary and secondary sites. You will shape strategy, support staff, and ensure SEMH pupils have access to high-quality education and wellbeing.

The role requires proven leadership as Headteacher or Head of School, strong safeguarding practice, and collaborative work with local authorities.

Qualifications

• Previous Headteacher or Head of School experience.
• Extensive SEMH and Alternative Provision experience.
• Experience with maintained schools and LA partnerships.
• Strong safeguarding, behaviour management and inclusion knowledge.
• Ability to lead across two sites and build teams.
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for both sites.
• Drive improvements in teaching, safeguarding and outcomes.
• Lead staff development and performance management.
• Collaborate with authorities, schools and families.
• Oversee compliance with statutory requirements.
• Support transitions and reintegration for pupils.
• Manage school improvement planning and quality assurance.
• Promote trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches.

Skills

Headteacher experience

SEMH expertise

Alt Provision background

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding knowledge

Two-site leadership

Communication skills

Job description

Headteacher – Alternative Provision

Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent, full-time, term time
Start Date: ASAP – flexible for the right candidate

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, passionate and committed Headteacher to lead an established Alternative Provision in Littlehampton, overseeing both the secondary site and a nearby primary provision.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced school leader with a strong background in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Alternative Provision. We are looking for someone who can provide clear strategic direction, inspire and support staff, and ensure that pupils who face barriers to mainstream education receive the guidance, structure and opportunities they need to succeed.

The successful candidate will bring proven leadership experience as a Headteacher or Head of School, alongside a strong understanding of maintained school settings, local authority partnerships and the wider education system.

We are keen to find the right person for this important role and are willing to wait for an exceptional candidate. The successful applicant will be offered a permanent position directly with the provision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee the effective day-to-day running of both the primary and secondary sites.

• Develop and maintain a positive, inclusive and safe learning environment for pupils with SEMH needs and additional barriers to education.

• Lead, motivate and support staff, promoting high standards of teaching, learning, safeguarding and pastoral care.

• Drive improvements in pupil engagement, attendance, behaviour, progress and outcomes.

• Ensure provision meets statutory requirements, safeguarding expectations and relevant educational standards.

• Work collaboratively with the local authority, maintained schools, families and external agencies to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils.

• Build strong relationships with partner schools and council services to support successful transitions and reintegration where appropriate.

• Oversee school improvement planning, quality assurance, staff development and performance management.

• Promote a consistent, trauma-informed and relationship-based approach to behaviour and emotional regulation across both sites.

Essential Experience and Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience as a Headteacher or Head of School, with demonstrable leadership and management experience.

• Substantial experience working with pupils with SEMH needs.

• Direct experience working within an Alternative Provision setting.

• Experience working within maintained schools and a strong understanding of the maintained education sector.

• Proven experience working collaboratively with local authorities and council services.

• A strong understanding of safeguarding, behaviour management, inclusion and school improvement.

• The ability to lead, inspire and develop staff across two sites.

• Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with pupils, staff, families and external partners.

What’s on Offer?

• A permanent position directly with the provision.

• A competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• The opportunity to lead across primary and secondary Alternative Provision settings.

• An opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives and educational outcomes of vulnerable young people.

• An ASAP start, with flexibility to wait for the right candidate.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.