Headteacher

Lime Tree Education Search Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lime Tree Education Search Ltd is supporting a growing group of specialist independent schools in Manchester. The Headteacher will lead strategic and operational aspects to ensure excellent teaching, safeguarding and pupil outcomes.

We seek an experienced leader with QTS, strong data-driven decision making, and a proven track record in school improvement within specialist education. The role offers a permanent, term-time aligned opportunity with potential progression.

Qualifications

• QTS and a relevant teaching qualification.
• At least five years' leadership experience within education.
• Experience with SEMH and/or SEND.
• Proven record of contributing to or leading school improvement.
• Strong safeguarding experience and knowledge.
• Experience using data to monitor performance and drive improvement.
• Strong understanding of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Experience of quality assurance and self-evaluation.
• Knowledge of the Education Inspection Framework.

Responsibilities

• School improvement and strategic development.
• Teaching, learning and curriculum oversight.
• Behaviour and attendance management.
• Safeguarding and child protection oversight.
• SEND and SEMH provision leadership.
• Pupil progress and outcomes accountability.
• Staff leadership, performance and development.
• Quality assurance and self-evaluation processes.
• Stakeholder and external agency relationships.
• Day-to-day operational management.

Skills

Leadership experience

QTS

Communications

Strategic planning

Data-driven improvement

Safeguarding knowledge

Curriculum development

Knowledge of Ofsted/IER framework

Staff development

Education

QTS or equivalent

Job description

Headteacher

Specialist Independent School Manchester

Permanent Term Time

January 2027, or earlier by agreement

About the School

LTE Search are working with a growing group of independent specialist schools in Manchester, providing education and support for children and young people with a range of additional needs, including SEMH and SEND. The organisation is committed to providing supportive, inclusive and aspirational learning environments, with a particular focus on therapeutic support, relational practice and helping pupils overcome barriers to education. The group is continuing to expand, with a number of schools across Greater Manchester and further growth planned. As part of this development, there is a strong focus on strengthening leadership, consistency and standards across its schools. This is therefore an exciting opportunity for an experienced school leader to join the organisation at an important stage of its development and take responsibility for leading one of its specialist settings

The Role

The Headteacher will have responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of the school, working closely with an experienced Executive Headteacher and wider leadership team. The role will involve setting high expectations across the school and ensuring that pupils receive high-quality education, pastoral support and care.

• School improvement and strategic development
• Teaching, learning and curriculum
• Behaviour and attendance
• Safeguarding and child protection
• SEND and SEMH provision
• Pupil progress and outcomes
• Staff leadership, performance and development
• Quality assurance and self-evaluation
• Parent and external agency relationships
• Day-to-day operational management

A particularly important part of the role will be leading the school's quality assurance and inspection readiness, including the School Improvement Plan, SEF, evidence trails, mock inspections and preparation for external scrutiny.

The Headteacher will also work closely with wider specialist leaders across the organisation to ensure a consistent approach to curriculum, inclusion, behaviour, pastoral care and safeguarding.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and confident school leader who can combine high expectations with a strong understanding of specialist education. You will ideally have

• QTS and a relevant teaching qualification
• At least five years' leadership experience within education
• Experience working with pupils with SEMH and/or SEND
• A proven record of contributing to or leading school improvement
• Strong safeguarding experience and knowledge
• Experience using data to monitor performance and drive improvement
• Strong understanding of teaching, learning and assessment
• Experience of quality assurance and self-evaluation
• Good knowledge of the Education Inspection Framework
• Excellent organisational and operational skills
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• High levels of resilience and emotional intelligence
• A proactive, visible and solution-focused leadership style

Experience within specialist education, alternative provision, PRU or a therapeutic setting would be particularly advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take genuine responsibility for the leadership and development of a specialist school within a growing and ambitious education organisation.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape school culture, develop staff, improve systems and ultimately make a significant difference to outcomes for pupils who may have experienced considerable barriers to education.

With the wider organisation continuing to grow, there is also potential for longer-term professional development and progression for the right individual.

Please Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK and be able to provide appropriate evidence of their eligibility to work. The appointment will be subject to the appropriate recruitment and safeguarding checks.