Headteacher

Are you an experienced, skilled and innovative leader who can make a difference to the lives and education of children with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs? Are you ready for a role which can offer you professional challenge and further fire your enthusiasm for teaching and learning? Are you keen to be a key part of a unique whole school community?

Marchant-Holliday School, in Somerset, is an independent day and residential special school, providing for the education and care of boys aged 5-13 years. The school provides excellent opportunities for the education and care of children to develop their full potential for their social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth. The school’s founder held the vision that all children could and should thrive in a caring, tolerant, understanding and supportive environment, enabling them to overcome life’s difficulties and challenges. The Governors are seeking a Headteacher who can carry this vision forward with skill and commitment at an exciting time for the school and its pupils.

Ofsted acknowledges and recognises the school to be Good in Care (October 2021) and Good in Education (January 2020). Ofsted acknowledges the staff’s commitment to ensuring that all pupils thrive and recognise the school’s great sense of community.

The school currently has 49 pupils (capacity 56) of whom 10 children are resident during term time weeks.

Our ideal candidate will:

·        Be passionate and knowledgeable in maintaining and developing provision to the highest standards in education and care for children with special educational needs

·        Lead the education and care of our pupils with social emotional and mental health needs

·        Able to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in meeting those needs

·        Able to set high expectations, both by example and for the whole school community

·        Bring out the best from a skilled team and work closely with the Governing Body and other stakeholders to further develop a creative, safe and stable learning environment for all

·        Build on the school’s good reputation and aspire for excellent outcomes for our pupils

·        Provide a safe and welcoming learning and living environment for all

·        Be a key part of the onsite, on-call team, on rota during week nights, in term time.

The Governors can offer:

·        Opportunity to work with children whose small steps can reveal great achievements

·        Enthusiastic and dedicated staff team within a positive and inclusive school community

·        Safe yet stimulating environment with opportunities for children to learn and thrive from a wide range of outdoor and indoor provision, both as part of the curriculum and beyond, including swimming, horse riding and music

·        Strong and supportive Governing Body

·        Team of professionals around each child to meet their diverse needs

·        Three bedroom cottage with private garden, discretely located within the grounds of the school offered as the residence for the Headteacher and family

·        A residential allowance.

Marchant-Holliday School is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of its pupils, boarders and staff. The successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

This appointment is supported by ASCL’s Leadership Appointment Service. If you have any questions or want to have an informal chat about this exciting opportunity, please contact ASCL recruitment consultant Julie.Greer@ascl.org.uk by email or phone, 0773 664 2468.

Closing date: Monday 20th February 2023 at noon.

Interview dates: Monday 6th March, and Tuesday 7th March 2023 for candidates successful following the first day.

We strongly encourage all potential candidates to visit the school, if they are able to. Please contact Julie Greer by email Julie.Greer@ascl.org.uk or phone on 0773 664 2468 to arrange a visit.

For the Application Pack please visit https://marchant-holliday.co.uk/about-our-school/vacancies