Headteacher

The Esland Group Ltd; Congleton; On-site; GBP 71,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization seeks a Headteacher for Daven School in Congleton. The successful candidate will ensure high educational standards and the safety of students, while leading a collaborative team. This role requires significant leadership experience, preferably in special educational needs (SEN) settings, and a Qualified Teacher Status. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £71,006 to £79,872 per annum, along with various benefits including a pension scheme and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Company sick pay

Access to a company holiday home

Life insurance

Paid training

Career development opportunities

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Refer a Friend bonus

Monthly recognition awards

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in school leadership, ideally within SEN settings.
• Strong understanding of SEND Code of Practice and approaches to inclusion.
• Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate learning and progress effectively.

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards.
• Oversee processes for safe and effective school operations.

Skills

School leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

ICT proficiency

Collaborative approach

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

SENCO qualifications

NPQH qualifications

Job description

Headteacher

Department: Education

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Daven School - Congleton

Reporting To: Education Director

Compensation: £71,006 - £79,872 / year

Description

Location: Congleton, Cheshire

Hours: Full time (Monday to Friday)

Salary: £71,006 to £79,872 per annum (DOE)

Shape Futures. Lead with Purpose.

At Esland, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. Our mission is to help vulnerable young people turn the curve on their futures by providing care, education, and therapeutic support tailored to their needs.

Many of our pupils have faced significant challenges, including trauma, placement breakdowns, and barriers to learning.

We’re looking for a Headteacher who shares our values and is ready to make a lasting impact.

The Role

As Headteacher, you’ll lead Esland Daven School with vision and integrity, ensuring high standards of education and care for our pupils. Reporting to the Education Director, you’ll work closely with the governing board, school staff, and wider Esland team to create a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards and statutory frameworks.
• Oversee systems, policies, and processes for safe and effective operation.
• Monitor progress against school aims and objectives, driving continuous improvement.
• Manage budgets and allocate resources efficiently.
• Liaise with local authorities on SEND and EHCP reviews.
• Support Home Managers and outreach teams to deliver tailored education packages.
• Promote wellbeing through collaboration with clinical teams and teacher mentoring.
• Lead on safeguarding, ensuring it underpins every decision.
• Deliver CPD and line manage teaching staff to maintain high-quality teaching and learning.

What We Can Offer a Headteacher

• A competitive salary between £71,006 and £79,872, reviewed annually
• Enrolment into the Esland education pension scheme, which is double matched up to 20%, meaning total pension contribution of up to 30%
• Company sick pay
• Access to a company holiday home based in the Peak District, where you can stay for free!
• Life insurance to the value of 4 times your basic salary
• Comprehensive, paid induction training and ongoing training within the role
• Fantastic opportunities for career development, we promoted over 100 colleagues last year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including our Online GP 24/7, 365 days a year
• Access to our Green Hybrid and EV car scheme
• A £500 bonus via our 'Refer a Friend' scheme
• Monthly recognition awards
• Access to big-brand deals and discounts via our employee benefits scheme E-Together
• The opportunity to make a real difference to a child's life!

What We’re Looking For

• Substantial experience in school leadership, ideally within SEN settings
• Qualified Teacher Status (essential); SENCO and NPQH qualifications (desirable)
• Strong understanding of SEND Code of Practice and approaches to inclusion
• Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate learning and progress effectively
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach
• Experience of working with young people who present challenging behaviours
• Knowledge of strategies to maintain Good or Outstanding provision
• ICT proficiency and flexibility to teach across multiple subjects