Headteacher - Full-time

Are you an inspiring, values-led leader ready to make a lasting difference?

We are seeking an exceptional Headteacher to lead Portal House School: someone with the vision, compassion and resilience to shape a truly inclusive, high-performing environment for pupils with diverse and complex needs. This is a rare opportunity to lead a school where relationships, understanding and ambition transform lives.

The Role

As Headteacher, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring a high-quality, ambitious and inclusive education for every pupil. You will cultivate a calm, purposeful and nurturing culture where:

• Pupils feel safe, understood and able to succeed
• Staff are empowered, supported and developed
• Safeguarding is embedded in everything we do

You will drive improvement across all areas of the Education Inspection Framework, with particular focus on:

• A coherent, ambitious curriculum meeting academic and emotional needs
• Trauma-informed, relational approaches to behaviour and wellbeing
• Robust systems for safeguarding, attendance and engagement
• High-quality teaching and professional development
• Strong partnerships with families, agencies and governors

What You’ll Bring

• Proven leadership experience (minimum 3 years as Assistant or Deputy Headteacher)
• Understanding of, or experience within, SEMH/SEN provision
• Strong knowledge of statutory frameworks, EHCP processes, PEPs and Annual Reviews
• Ability to analyse progress data and translate insight into meaningful outcomes
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Above all, you will demonstrate:

• A deep commitment to inclusion, equity and pupil potential
• Insight into the impact of trauma and mental health on learning
• Leadership grounded in clarity, emotional intelligence and compassion
• The ability to balance high expectations with care and consistency

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role; it’s a chance to make a profound difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people. You will be supported by a dedicated staff team, a committed governing body, and a strong network of specialist school leaders within Ksent (the group with which Portal House is affiliated).

At Portal House, our aim is to bring out the best in everyone, and our wish is for every student to have a happy, healthy and successful education. We welcome anyone who shares this aim to make an application or come and visit our school.

Tour dates: Friday 17th July and Friday 4th September