Headteacher - SEMH School

Gilbert Meher; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a compassionate Headteacher for a small SEMH school in Barnsley. This role offers the chance to lead a nurturing environment dedicated to supporting children with social, emotional, and mental health needs. You will oversee the school's operations, ensuring a safe and aspirational culture while building strong relationships with families and the community. If you have senior leadership experience in a specialist setting and are passionate about inclusion and pupil wellbeing, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a specialist or SEMH setting.
• Passionate about inclusion and pupil wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic and operational running of the school.
• Foster a safe and engaging learning culture.

Skills

Leadership

Empathy

Understanding of SEND

Inclusion Practices

Safeguarding

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Leadership Qualification

Job description

Headteacher - Small SEMH School (Barnsley)

Location: Barnsley

Salary: £70K + Bonus and Benefits package

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Start Date: September 2025

I'm partnering with a leading provider of specialist education to recruit an exceptional Headteacher for a small SEMH school in Barnsley.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a nurturing and inclusive school that supports children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school offers a highly personalised curriculum within a structured, therapeutic setting - helping pupils to re-engage with learning and achieve meaningful progress.

About the School:

• Small, supportive learning environment
• Rated Good in all areas by Ofsted
• Committed to trauma-informed practice and holistic education
• Backed by a national provider with a strong reputation for specialist support

About the Role:

As Headteacher, you will:

• Lead with empathy, clarity, and high expectations
• Oversee the strategic and operational running of the school
• Foster a safe, engaging, and aspirational learning culture
• Build strong relationships with families, professionals, and the wider community

About You:

We're seeking a compassionate, resilient leader who:

• Has senior leadership experience in a specialist or SEMH setting
• Understands the complexities of SEND and alternative provision
• Is passionate about inclusion, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing
• Can motivate and empower staff, and lead by example

To find out more - Please reach out to kate.field@.