Job Description
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Head of Secondary (Basildon)
Where leadership transforms lives.
Are you a passionate, ambitious leader ready to make a real difference?
Following the well-deserved promotion of our current postholder, a rare opportunity has arisen. Children's Support Service is seeking an exceptionalHead of Secondaryto lead our secondary provision in Basildon and join our strategic senior leadership team.
Lead with purpose. Shape futures.
Our young people have faced real challenges - permanent exclusion, prolonged absence, or barriers in mainstream education. You'll lead an experienced, motivated team delivering acreative and aspirational specialist and academic curriculumtailored to every student's unique needs on-site.
This isn't just another leadership role. It's your chance to pioneer a new vision for secondary alternative provision and ensure every young person gets the education they deserve.
Ready to lead the change?
What you'll do:
- Provide strategic leadership and vision for our Basildon site.
- Champion inclusive, high-quality teaching and learning.
- Lead, support and develop staff to achieve the very best outcomes and reintegration opportunities for pupils.
- Build strong relationships with families, staff and stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement in our high performing Basildon school.
- Provide training and support to mainstream secondary colleagues in South Essex.
- Be part of the service strategic leadership team.
What we're looking for:
- An experienced secondary leader passionate about making a difference with recent mainstream experience.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire others.
- Strong understanding of inclusive education and SEND.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality and the highest standards for all
- Willingness to work with local mainstream secondary schools to provide training and support
Why join us?
- A genuinely unique opportunity rarely available in this sector
- The chance to shape the future of a highly regarded alternative provision
- Supportive colleagues and professional development opportunities
- The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in South Essex
Want to know more?Visits are warmly welcomed as are informal discussions with Michelle Steadman, our Head of Service. Please contact Sophie Hall, PA to the Head of Service, to arrange a confidential informal discussion and visit; sophie.hall@css-essex.co.uk or alternatively email HR.team@css-essex.co.uk.
Information about the School
The Children’s Support Service is a short stay alternative provision in Essex. We educate and support children from KS1 - KS4 as well as providing an outreach service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area. Our schools are based in Basildon (secondary) and Wickford (primary and secondary).
Our Medical Education Team work across South and West Essex and focus on not only educating children and young people but crucially reintegrating our students back into their mainstream school.
We now offer, in partnership with Essex Local Authority Education Access Team, an education and reintegration programme for students who have been permanently excluded from any part of Essex back to their local mainstream school.
Most of our students are referred to us due to challenges they may have faced in school; many come with additional needs and require academic, emotional and social support. We pride ourselves on overcoming these challenges and ensuring every student is successful.
We offer a wide range of subjects and match a mainstream setting through our core curriculum offer. At the same time, as a 'needs -led' provision we offer extensive enrichment opportunities to our students.
We collaborate with schools and professionals who need our support, and aim to reintegrate students back into mainstream education or prepare them for other lifelong learning opportunities.
Our staff create positive, safe, caring and supportive learning environments, helping to inspire every child to 'be the best they can be.'
CSS staff benefit from flexible working arrangements, our subscription to an Employee Assistance Programme, which provides mental health and well-being support services for all staff, including 24/7 access to advice, support and counselling for our whole team.
Please note that car insurance including "business use" is required.