Head of School

Job Description:

TeacherActive is working in partnership with a high-quality alternative provision in Thrapston, offering an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced education professional to join a nurturing, values-led setting where both staff and pupils are genuinely supported. This is a unique opportunity to work in a small, close-knit school environment where your expertise, creativity, and leadership will have a tangible impact on the lives of young people. We are looking for someone who is committed to supporting pupils with additional needs, inspiring engagement, and helping them to achieve both academically and personally.

About the School & Group
The school is part of a national education group made up of six business units, each committed to innovating, influencing, and inspiring through high-quality, purposeful education and training. The group is dedicated to supporting schools across the country, providing strategic oversight, operational guidance, and opportunities for professional collaboration, ensuring that each school maintains high standards, shares best practice, and continues to develop its staff and pupils.

The school itself is an independent, OFSTED-regulated alternative provision, currently supporting approximately 35 pupils on roll. This small cohort allows the school to provide highly personalised learning experiences tailored to each pupil’s individual needs, abilities, and aspirations. Pupils attending the school benefit from an environment that is nurturing, supportive, and encouraging, particularly those working towards reintegration into mainstream education or alternative post-16 pathways. The focus is on enabling pupils to achieve academic success while developing the personal and social skills they need to thrive in the wider world.

The school structure includes:

• Head of School

• Deputy Head of School

• Five Teachers

• Five Support Staff

In addition to the core team, regional and national staff provide ongoing operational and strategic support across the wider group. This support ensures consistency across schools, access to specialist expertise, and opportunities for collaborative projects and professional growth. Staff are encouraged to share best practice, access professional development opportunities, and contribute to the group’s overall vision of excellence in alternative provision.

Why Join This Provision?
This organisation is deeply committed to staff wellbeing, professional development, and work-life balance. The aim is to create a working environment where teachers can focus on what they do best — supporting and inspiring pupils — without being burdened by excessive administration.

Key wellbeing and balance benefits include:

• Discounted gym memberships to support physical health

• Access to a free wellbeing app containing fitness, yoga, and mindfulness resources

• Dedicated counselling support for mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Generous holiday entitlement to support a healthy work-life balance

• Additional leave for foster carers to recognise and support their personal responsibilities

• Flexible working arrangements where possible, including consideration for personal circumstances

• Reduced surplus administration so teachers and leaders can focus on teaching, learning, and pupil development

Professional Development & Benefits
The organisation actively invests in staff development, ensuring opportunities for growth, career progression, and professional recognition. Staff can access:

• Support for professional qualifications to enhance skills and career progression

• In-house training programs, including paid qualifications, to strengthen knowledge and practice

• Approximately £3,500 invested per colleague annually on professional development and training

Financial and family security benefits include:

• Death in Service Insurance providing four times salary for peace of mind

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave, supporting family needs

• Medicash cashback scheme covering staff and dependants for:

  • Eye tests

  • Optical and dental treatment

  • Prescriptions

  • Holistic therapies (up to £900 per year)

Recognition and engagement benefits include:

• Monthly, quarterly, and annual recognition awards to celebrate contributions

• £500 referral bonus for introducing top talent to the organisation

• MiRewards platform offering a wide range of discounts and rewards

• Weekly drop-in sessions with the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team to encourage open communication and professional development

• Annual group conference to connect across schools, share best practice, and inspire innovation

The Role
This position combines high-quality classroom teaching with leadership responsibility. You will play a central role in supporting pupils with additional needs, helping them to re-engage with education, build confidence, and achieve measurable outcomes. You will contribute to staff development, curriculum oversight, and school improvement initiatives, ensuring the provision consistently delivers high-quality education tailored to the individual needs of its pupils.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering high-quality teaching in line with curriculum objectives and pupil needs

• Supporting curriculum planning and monitoring to improve teaching and learning outcomes

• Contributing to staff development, mentoring, and collaborative professional practice

• Promoting inclusive, nurturing, and restorative approaches to education

• Supporting the personal and social development of pupils, preparing them for reintegration into mainstream education or alternative pathways

• Monitoring pupil progress and implementing interventions to support learning outcomes

• Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, including Independent School Standards and safeguarding requirements

Who We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate is a committed, creative, and resilient education professional with strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills. You will be passionate about working with pupils with additional needs, committed to inclusive education, and capable of inspiring both pupils and staff to achieve their potential.

Essential and desirable criteria include:

• Degree in a relevant subject area (essential)

• QTS or QTLS, or overseas equivalent (essential)

• NPQH or working towards it (desirable)

• Proven leadership experience (Head of Department, SLT, or Headteacher level)

• Experience in alternative provision or similar educational settings (highly desirable)

• Experience managing staff teams and small school cohorts

• Strong oversight of core subjects, including English, Maths, and Science

• Demonstrable track record of improving teaching and learning outcomes

• In-depth understanding of alternative provision, pupil engagement, and Independent School Standards

• Experience supporting learners with SEN and additional needs

Key skills and values include:

• Ability to inspire and engage learners, encouraging curiosity, independence, and resilience

• Strong problem-solving, organisational, and decision-making skills

• Excellent communication with colleagues, pupils, and external stakeholders

• Effective time management across teaching, leadership, and compliance responsibilities

• Clear commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, wellbeing, and British values

Interested?
If you are interested in this position, then click ‘APPLY NOW’ and I will be in touch regarding this fantastic opportunity.

EMAIL: (url removed)
CONTACT NUMBER: (phone number removed) 

All applicants will be contacted to discuss suitability and then invited to register with TeacherActive.



Registration involves an enhanced DBS check, ID checks and will require you to supply good professional references. We pride ourselves on excellent service. We can provide a wide range of opportunities in schools and other educational institutions, with good rates of pay, at times to suit your needs.



Regular external audits have shown repeatedly that our standards are exceptional. We are passionate about finding the right staff for each environment.

TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer, and operates as an Employment Business in providing temporary or contract job-seeking services.