Executive Headteacher

Our school has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years, achieving significant milestones across both academic and pastoral realms. We are a vibrant, supportive and a community that values continuous improvement and innovation, with a focus on providing a well-rounded education that celebrates diversity, nurtures individual strengths, and prepares students for a successful future. Our split-site model allows for collaborative learning and development tailored to meet the unique needs of each stage of education, offering students a smooth and supported transition from primary through secondary years.

There are two exceptional opportunities within our school’s leadership team: Head of School and Executive Headteacher. We are looking for dynamic and committed leaders to continue the outstanding legacy of leadership that has brought our school to new heights, and we are seeking an experienced, visionary Executive Headteacher to lead our ambitious, split-site school, a dynamic and inclusive environment committed to excellence and growth.

As Executive Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in building upon the achievements of our recent journey, driving forward our vision and guiding the school into its next exciting phase. You will have the opportunity to shape the educational experience of our students, empower and inspire our talented staff, and work closely with our dedicated governing body to ensure sustained success and growth across both sites.

This role is ideal for a leader who is passionate about nurturing student potential, has a track record of delivering positive change, and is ready to lead a school community that is eager to excel. With a competitive salary (with potential adjustment for the right candidate) and the chance to make a lasting impact, this is an exceptional opportunity for a forward-thinking leader.

The successful applicant will:

• Be dynamic, resilient and inspirational leader who has experience within a mainstream or SEN School
• Relentlessly committed to inclusion and finding new and different ways of achieving the very best for our diverse range of students
• Courageous and ambitious with an entrepreneurial and visionary approach
• Understands our values and the needs and importance of local communities
• Has the necessary experience to effectively coach and support two talented Heads of School

If you are ready to help us build on our successes and take our school to new heights, we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about working for the Shaw Education Trust and this role, please contact Jenna Griffiths, Executive Assistant, at jenna.griffiths@shaw-education.org.uk or call 01782 948259.

At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. We are a split site school with two provisions to meet different needs, one at Trent Vale one at Blythe Bridge. We have an amazing staff team who work tirelessly to support approximately 120 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

As a specialist school our pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, a more practical curriculum, access to alternative accreditations and a highly trained staff team. Both sites have spacious grounds allowing us to provide outdoor education, with our Blythe Bridge site boasting specialist classrooms for Design and technology, Art and Design, Science, Food technology and PE.

At the heart of our school are a set of shared values where our entire school community are supported to develop a sense of Respect, Responsibility, Belonging, Independence, show a Team Approach and look after their own Mental Toughness.

Salary: Leadership SCP 17 -21 - £73,819 - £81,441 (Salary may be increased for the right candidate with relevant experience)

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include all of the National Professional Qualifications – NPQH, NPQSL, NPQEYL, NPQLL, NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC are all delivered by the Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. In addition, we provide access to the NPQEL for Executive Leaders.

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Safeguarding Statement:

Portland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This position is subject to appropriate vetting procedures including an online checks and criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions.

All shortlisted candidates will undergo an online search as part of Trust safer recruitment.

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications. 

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CV’s alone will not be accepted.

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date, therefore, we encourage early applications.

Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.