Senior Leader (SEMH Secondary School)

Academicis; Paignton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Leader for a secondary SEMH provision in the South West, starting in early 2026. The interim role has the potential to become permanent. Key responsibilities include ensuring high-quality teaching, effective curriculum coherence, and supporting staff development. Relevant experience in secondary SEMH is essential, alongside strong values in relationships, compassion, and safeguarding. Interested candidates can book an introductory call with the consultant to discuss further.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Assistant Head or Deputy Head.
• Strong background in secondary SEMH.
• Ability to embed quality and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Translate values into high-quality teaching.
• Enhance curriculum coherence.
• Support staff in delivering effective QA.

Skills

Strong relationships

Emotional availability

Compassion

Inclusion

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Headteacher/Deputy Head experience

Job description

High-impact SLT role: specialist secondary SEMH

Academicis are working with a small, specialist secondary SEMH provision in the South West that is looking to appoint an Senior Leader (initially on contract, with a view to making the role permanent) from early 2026.

The Headteacher has led a rapid turnaround: staffing rebuilt, safeguarding stabilised, behaviour calm, and a trauma-informed, relational culture firmly in place. The environment is now settled and the next phase is about embedding quality and consistency.

The school is very values-centred. Day-to-day practice is built around:

• strong relationships and emotional availability
• compassion and inclusion
• clear safeguarding culture
• high expectations and aspiration for pupils who’ve often experienced failure

In this role you can make a big contribution to translating values into high-quality teaching, curriculum coherence and effective QA, while supporting staff who vary in confidence and skill.

Key notes on the role:

• Interim Senior Leader (experienced AH or DH)
• Feb–Dec 2026, with a strong possibility of becoming permanent
• Big focus on QA, curriculum, adaptive teaching, SEND and safeguarding
• Secondary SEMH background essential

TheHead is keen to move quickly and prefers an initial confidential conversation before any visit. School and Trust details will be shared with you when you speak with our consultant.

If this sounds aligned with your experience, we'd welcome a short, no-commitment conversation. You can book a 15min intro call with our consultant, Alpha Parish by emailing [e-mail] to discuss the role further at your convenience. You are also welcome to call Alpha directly on 07436 971517 during business hours.

Perhaps this role isn't quite the right fit for you, but would suit at a colleague or friend? Do feel free to pass on the details of this vacancy to them.