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Job Title: Head of School 
Location: Belmont Secondary School, Rawtenstall, BB4 6RX
Hours:     37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday
Salary:     £63,903.82 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        As soon as possible - (prepared to accommodate notice periods for the right candidate)
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

Are you an experienced, ambitious educational leader passionate about SEMH provision and therapeutic practice? Belmont School is seeking a Head of School for our Secondary site to lead day-to-day operations, champion TIP-informed approaches, and inspire a dedicated team of professionals. This role reports directly to the Headteacher and would suit someone looking to consolidate their career or who may be seeking Headship in the future.

About Belmont Secondary School

Our Secondary site provides specialist education for around 90 pupils aged 11–18 with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The role is challenging but immensely rewarding for the right individual.

We combine high-quality teaching with a strong therapeutic ethos to create a safe, structured, and nurturing environment. Pupils benefit from personalised learning, small class sizes, and holistic support from our multidisciplinary team.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the secondary site, ensuring a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
• Serve as a member of the school Executive Team, contributing to strategic planning, whole-school development, and key decision-making.
• Line manage teaching and support staff, fostering professional growth and embedding Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) under the guidance of the Headteacher.
• Lead and coordinate secondary Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and INSET provision in consultation with the Headteacher.
• Conduct staff appraisals and provide guidance on professional development.
• Support the school’s quality assurance processes, including assessment, reporting, and monitoring teaching, learning, and wellbeing standards.
• Act as the school’s Induction Lead for ISTIP, ensuring new staff are effectively supported and integrated.
• Oversee daily staff cover and maintain smooth operational management.
• Attend Executive Team, staffing, and pupil multidisciplinary meetings, contributing to holistic decision-making.
• Engage closely with parents and carers to promote collaborative approaches to pupil wellbeing and academic progress.
• Lead on pupil suspensions and reintegration meetings, ensuring decisions and processes are fair, consistent, and therapeutic.
• Provide guidance on interventions, maintaining a supportive and TIP-informed approach.
• Actively participate in the pupil multidisciplinary team to deliver personalised support strategies.
• Lead daily staff briefings, promoting clear communication, consistency, and TIP-informed practice throughout the school.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Puts the need of pupils first.
• Has significant leadership experience in SEMH, specialist, or therapeutic settings.
• Understands and actively supports trauma-informed approaches and TIP principles.
• Can inspire, motivate, and develop staff within a collaborative, therapeutic environment.
• Is ambitious and seeking progression toward a Headteacher role.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, relationship-building, and behaviour-management skills.
• Is upbeat and positive with staff and pupils and is a trusted leader

What We Offer:

• A pivotal leadership role in a highly respected SEMH secondary provision.
• Direct mentorship and line management from an experienced Headteacher.
• Opportunities to shape the future of the Secondary site while preparing for headship.
• A supportive, professional, and collaborative leadership team.
• A chance to make a lasting difference in pupils’ lives, building confidence, resilience, and academic success.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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