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Headteacher

Dovetail Ref: BBBH187479
SEN & Support £51,773 – £60,145 per annum permanent Term-time only · 39 weeks/year lead Level 26 August 2026
Manchester, England
Josh Taylor

Speak to Josh Taylor

0117 422 9420 Main line

Education Details

SEN other

Job Description

Headteacher – Specialist Education

Location: Manchester
Salary: £51,773 – £60,145
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15am–4:00pm
Contract: Term Time

Are you an experienced Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or senior school leader ready to take the next step in your career?

We are recruiting for a Headteacher to lead a specialist education setting supporting young people with SEMH and SEND needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established senior or middle leader looking to step into their first Headteacher role.

The Role

  • Provide strong, visible and proactive leadership across the school.
  • Lead the day-to-day operational management of the setting.
  • Drive high standards in teaching, learning, behaviour, attendance and safeguarding.
  • Lead the School Improvement Plan and quality assurance framework.
  • Work closely with SEND, pastoral and education leaders.
  • Lead inspection preparation and maintain an Ofsted-ready environment.
  • Work closely with parents, carers and external agencies.
  • Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).

About You

We're looking for an experienced school leader with:

  • QTS and PGCE/PGDE.
  • Minimum 5 years' leadership experience within a primary or secondary school.
  • Proven experience leading teams and managing staff performance.
  • Experience contributing to or leading school improvement.
  • Strong experience using data to drive improvement.
  • Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience.

Desirable

  • SEMH/SEND experience.
  • Specialist or alternative provision experience.
  • Ofsted inspection experience.
  • Experience within a therapeutic or multi-disciplinary environment.
  • NPQH or currently working towards it.

Why Apply?

This is a strong opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or experienced Head of Department to step into a Headteacher position and take responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of a specialist setting.

Interested? Apply now or contact us for further information.

What's on Offer

  • Term time only working
  • Monday-Friday 8:15am-4:00pm

Important Notice Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn't quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Dovetail and Slate Ltd (11351060) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy. Because education matters. © Dovetail and Slate Limited.

A consultant will call you within one working day of your application.

A real person, not an automated email. If we are not the right fit for you we will say so quickly rather than leave you waiting.

Your Recruitment Consultant

Josh Taylor

Josh Taylor

Principal Recruitment Consultant

Requirements

  • QTS
  • PGCE/PGDE
  • Minimum 5 years' leadership experience within primary or secondary school
  • Experience leading teams and managing staff performance
  • Experience contributing to or leading school improvement
  • Strong experience using data to drive improvement
  • Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience

Benefits

  • Term time only working
  • Monday-Friday 8:15am-4:00pm

Skills & Qualifications

School leadershipSEMH and SENDSafeguardingSchool improvement planningQuality assuranceOfsted preparationTeam managementData analysisMulti-agency workingDeputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

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