Headteacher

Compass Community Schools; Kingston near Lewes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive training opportunities

Small class sizes with TA support

National expansion potential

Enhanced sickness scheme

Flexible pension

Regular therapeutic supervision

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Compass Community Schools seeks a Headteacher to lead a nurturing, close-knit team and deliver a holistic curriculum centred on pupils with SEMH and SEND. You will manage staff, collaborate with professionals, and provide authentic leadership that inspires change while also delivering 0.4 of teaching in Maths and/or English.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, development opportunities, and a supportive supervision framework within a growing national organisation.

Qualifications

• QTS with proven record of good or outstanding teaching
• Experience with SEMH & SEND, crisis-management, and supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences
• Able to teach Maths and/or English to GCSE level, with additional experience in delivering vocational BTEC, Functional Skills or ELC courses
• Experience in designing and delivering creative, engaging curriculums with strong management skills

Responsibilities

• Coordinate delivery of a holistic curriculum placing pupils' needs at the centre of learning
• Teach as part of 0.4 timetable and manage staff to deliver high standards
• Provide authentic leadership that inspires, engages and drives real change within the school
• Work with professionals, parents and local authorities to secure outstanding outcomes

Skills

QTS

SEMH/SEND experience

GCSE Maths/English

Curriculum design

Leadership

Job description

Key Dates

Deadline for Applications: 16/10/2026

Interview Date: w/c 19/10/2026

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child?

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fixing what needs fixing, together.

This is the work. And we'd like you to be part of it.

Who we are

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

We are excited to welcome a new Headteacher to our nurturing and close-knit staff team.

As Headteacher, you'll be responsible for coordinating the delivery of a holistic curriculum that places our pupils needs at the centre of their learning. You'll work closely with a range of industry professionals, managing your team of staff and delivering clear, authentic leadership that will inspire, engage, and influence real change within your school. There is also an expectation that the Headteacher will also deliver teaching - this is 0.4 of the overall timetable.

• Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice
• Have experience working with children with SEMH & SEND, with an understanding of crisis-management, managing behaviour that challenges and supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
• Be able and willing to teach Maths and/or English to GCSE level, with additional experience in delivering vocational BTEC, Functional Skills or ELC courses.
• Have experience in designing and delivering creative and academically engaging curriculums, with excellent management skills and the ability to work with various professional networks.
• Be driven to engage in all aspects of school life, with the passion and resilience to make a difference to the lives of their pupils.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.

Competitive salary

• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating-out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services(previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use.

All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.