Head of School

We are looking for an exceptional Head of School to continue our journey of success, building on the strong foundation of our dedicated current leadership team. As Head of School, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and student well-being. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, student-centred leader to drive forward our vision, inspire our talented staff, and work alongside our supportive community to ensure every student thrives.

Our school is proud of its remarkable progress, and we are seeking a Head of School who is ready to embrace and enhance our outstanding leadership and guide us into a new chapter.

Working with students with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs and SEN (Special Educational Needs), your role is multifaceted. Beyond overseeing the general operations of the school, you play a crucial part in fostering an inclusive environment that supports the unique needs of these students.

You will need a proactive and compassionate approach, ensuring that both the staff and the school community are equipped to support all students effectively. Your leadership can help ensure that all students are given equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.

You will establishing an Inclusive School Culture by promote Inclusion and Diversity: Lead by example in promoting an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, encourages empathy, and values all students equally.

Encourage Whole-School Buy-In and work to ensure that all staff, from teachers to support staff, understand the importance of inclusivity and are committed to supporting students with SEMH and SEN needs.

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.