Headteacher

Dovetail & Slate Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Dovetail & Slate Ltd in Manchester is recruiting an experienced school leader to take on the Headteacher role at a specialist setting supporting SEMH and SEND pupils.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, oversee daily operations, drive safeguarding and school improvement, and collaborate with SEND, pastoral and external partners. Term-time only options (39 weeks/year) may apply.

Qualifications

• QTS and PGCE/PGDE required.
• Minimum 5 years' leadership experience in primary or secondary school.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing staff performance.
• Experience contributing to or leading school improvement.
• Strong experience using data to drive improvement.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience.
• SEMH/SEND experience.
• Specialist or alternative provision experience.
• Ofsted inspection experience.
• Experience within a therapeutic or multi-disciplinary environment.
• NPQH or currently working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, visible and proactive leadership across the school.
• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the setting.
• Drive high standards in teaching, learning, behaviour, attendance and safeguarding.
• Lead inspection preparation and maintain an Ofsted-ready environment.
• Lead the School Improvement Plan and quality assurance framework.
• Work closely with SEND, pastoral and education leaders.
• Lead inspection preparation and maintain an Ofsted-ready environment.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).

Skills

School leadership

SEMH and SEND

Safeguarding

School improvement planning

Quality assurance

Ofsted preparation

Team management

Data analysis

Multi-agency working

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Education

QTS

PGCE/PGDE

NPQH (or working towards)

Job description

Recruitment for education and the public sector

SEN & Support £51,773 – £60,145 per annum Permanent Term-time only · 39 weeks/year lead Level 26 August 2026

Are you an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or senior school leader ready to take the next step in your career?

We are recruiting for a Headteacher to lead a specialist education setting supporting young people with SEMH and SEND needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established senior or middle leader looking to step into their first Headteacher role.

The Role

• Provide strong, visible and proactive leadership across the school.
• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the setting.
• Drive high standards in teaching, learning, behaviour, attendance and safeguarding.
• Lead the School Improvement Plan and quality assurance framework.
• Work closely with SEND, pastoral and education leaders.
• Lead inspection preparation and maintain an Ofsted-ready environment.
• Work closely with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).

About You

We're looking for an experienced school leader with:

• QTS and PGCE/PGDE.
• Minimum 5 years' leadership experience within a primary or secondary school.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing staff performance.
• Experience contributing to or leading school improvement.
• Strong experience using data to drive improvement.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience.
• SEMH/SEND experience.
• Specialist or alternative provision experience.
• Ofsted inspection experience.
• Experience within a therapeutic or multi-disciplinary environment.
• NPQH or currently working towards it.

Why Apply?

This is a strong opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or experienced Head of Department to step into a Headteacher position and take responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of a specialist setting.

• Minimum 5 years' leadership experience within primary or secondary school
• Experience leading teams and managing staff performance
• Experience contributing to or leading school improvement
• Strong experience using data to drive improvement
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience
• Term time only working

Skills & Qualifications

School leadership SEMH and SEND Safeguarding School improvement planning Quality assurance Ofsted preparation Team management Data analysis Multi-agency working Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead