Head Teacher | Alternative Provision | Burnley

Tradewind Recruitment; Burnley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational recruitment agency is seeking an inspirational Headteacher for an Alternative Provision in Accrington, starting January 2026. The role involves driving improvements for vulnerable young people with SEMH needs, establishing a strategic vision, and managing a specialist team. Ideal candidates will have significant senior leadership experience and a solid understanding of therapeutic and restorative practices in education. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to transform lives and lead impactful initiatives in the local community.

Benefits

Wider trust or local authority support networks

Autonomy in decision-making

Qualifications

• Experience leading an Alternative Provision, PRU, or specialist SEMH/SEN school.
• Knowledge of educational and statutory landscape surrounding SEMH and AP.
• Ability to implement therapeutic and restorative behaviour management practices.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a strategic vision for the Alternative Provision.
• Ensure the delivery of a personalized curriculum for pupils.
• Oversee finance, resource allocation, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead ensuring robust safeguarding practices.
• Lead and develop a small specialist team of teachers and support staff.

Skills

Significant Senior Leadership experience

Expert knowledge of SEMH

Understanding of safeguarding practices

Proven track record of driving improvement

Therapeutic and restorative approaches

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Are you a visionary, resilient, and inspirational Senior Leader ready to take the reins and drive transformative change as a Headteacher of an Alternative Provision (AP)?

We are seeking an outstanding and dedicated leader to champion our AP in Accrington. This is a challenging yet profoundly rewarding role for an individual committed to improving the life chances of vulnerable young people who face complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) barriers and disengagement from mainstream education. If you possess the strategic vision and therapeutic expertise to lead a specialist team, we want to hear from you.

Core Responsibilities

• Vision and Strategy: Define, articulate, and implement a compelling strategic vision for the AP, ensuring every aspect of the provision meets the diverse and complex needs of its pupils.
• Quality of Education: Ensure the delivery of a flexible, engaging, and highly personalised curriculum (KS3/KS4) that leads to positive academic, vocational, and emotional outcomes.
• Pastoral and Ethos: Establish and embed a strong, positive, trauma-informed, and restorative ethos throughout the provision, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and high‑expectations culture.
• Operational Management: Oversee all aspects of finance, resource allocation, premises management, and compliance with all statutory requirements and regulations.
• Safeguarding and Welfare: Serve as the designated DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead), ensuring robust safeguarding practices and fostering strong multi‑agency working with external partners.
• Staff Leadership: Lead, inspire, manage, and develop a small, specialist team of teachers and support staff, fostering a culture of continuous professional development and high performance.

What We Are Looking For

• Essential Leadership Experience: Significant Senior Leadership experience (Head of School, Deputy Head, or equivalent) within an Alternative Provision, PRU, or specialist SEMH/SEN school.
• Knowledge: Expert knowledge of the educational and statutory landscape surrounding SEMH, safeguarding, and AP provision.
• Ethos: A clear understanding and commitment to therapeutic and restorative approaches to behaviour management and well‑being.
• Impact: A proven track record of driving rapid improvement and ensuring positive measurable outcomes for vulnerable cohorts.
• Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is highly desirable, or significant senior leadership experience paired with a relevant qualification in youth work or education management.

Why Lead Our Alternative Provision in Accrington?

• Autonomy: This is a chance to lead and shape a specialist provision, making high‑impact decisions that directly benefit pupils.
• Meaningful Career: A profoundly rewarding role where you can transform the life trajectory of young people in the local community.
• Support: Access to wider trust or local authority support networks (if applicable, please adjust).

Apply Today - Lead the Future of Alternative Education! If you are the inspirational leader ready to take on this Headteacher role in Accrington from January 2026, please send your CV and a detailed cover letter outlining your strategic vision for AP and your experience with SEMH to (url removed) or click apply. Interviews will involve a stakeholder panel and a task demonstrating strategic leadership ability.

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