Headteacher

Cherry Oak School in Birmingham is an ambitious, friendly and inclusive Primary Special School for children with Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties and/or Cognition and Learning Difficulties. Approximately half of the pupils are diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum and all have EHCP’s. The school is over-subscribed and there are currently 112 on roll. The school is on an ambitious journey of improvement and this is a fantastic opportunity to join as its new Headteacher. There are many great ideas and developments already in place and Governors are looking for a leader who can complete the vision and bring these plans to fruition so that the school can achieve the very best outcomes for its young people.

Cherry Oak has many strengths including its commitment to total communication and a language-rich environment, supportive pastoral care and family support, developing independent living skills and extensive enrichment activities including multiple opportunities in the creative arts, especially drama. The most important feature of the school however is the people. It has real heart, with enthusiastic and happy young people and a talented staff team who are committed to improving the school for the benefit of the children.

The school was graded as ‘Requires Improvement’ in February 2020. The areas for improvement around the quality of education were already being addressed by staff at the school and as the new Headteacher you will have the exciting opportunity to lead and further enhance this work. As the inspection report said - ‘this is an exciting time to be at Cherry Oak School’.

The school is part of a federation with Victoria School, a large, all-through community special school, also maintained by Birmingham City Council. As the new Headteacher there will be a commitment to supporting your personal development and you will receive fantastic support from colleagues within the federation and through practical coaching and mentoring from the Executive Headteacher. You will also play a key strategic role in the federation shaping its future alongside other committed professional colleagues.

If you are an experienced senior leader, with experience of working with pupils with SEN, this role offers you a fantastic opportunity to lead the development of the school. You must have a proven record of involvement in school improvement with a clear vision for excellence in teaching and learning. Your positive attitude will inspire and engage the young people, parents/carers, staff and the local community and you must be a compassionate leader who can hold staff to account whilst being accountable yourself. Above all you will share the school’s commitment to delivering exceptional developmental and educational outcomes so that every pupil can be the best that they can be, and you will place their needs at the centre of all decision-making.

To find out more about this fantastic opportunity please visit:
https://webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/cherry-oak-school

For a confidential discussion about the role or to make an application, please contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership Appointments.
T: 07736 791138 E: martin.blair@hays.com. 

Closing date – 8am, Monday 5th October
Interviews – 14th and 15th October

Your application is a direct permanent application to Cherry Oak School, Hays is our recruitment partner.

Cherry Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS