Associate Assistant Headteacher

Job Description

Mid-Essex Co-operative Academy has an exciting opportunity for an aspiring leader.

The Role - Associate Assistant Headteacher
Are you a visionary leader with a heart for the pupils who need us most? We are seeking an Associate Assistant Headteacher to join our dedicated team. This is a unique opportunity for an aspiring or established leader to make a tangible difference in our Alternative Provision - Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) that prides itself on second chances, fresh starts, and where 'every child is known and known well'.

We are looking for someone deeply passionate about supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, those experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and pupils currently navigating the Request for Support from mainstream school process. In this role, you won't just manage; you will inspire, advocate, and transform lives.

What We Are Looking For
The successful candidate will be a resilient, empathetic leader who can demonstrate high levels of competency and experience in the following key areas:

1. Leadership Skills and Experience
Strategic Vision:Proven ability to contribute to the whole-school improvement plan and lead initiatives that raise standards for marginalized learners.
Staff Development:Experience in mentoring, coaching, and holding staff accountable while fostering a supportive professional environment.
Resilience:The "staying power" to lead through challenges, maintaining a calm and purposeful atmosphere in a high-pressure setting.

2. Curriculum and Teaching
Curriculum Innovation:Knowledge of how to adapt the curriculum to meet the diverse needs of PRU pupils, ensuring it is both ambitious and accessible.
Pedagogical Expertise:A track record of 'Good' to 'Outstanding' teaching, with the ability to model best practices for engaging pupils with complex learning barriers.
Assessment & Progress:Competency in using data to track progress beyond just academics-focusing on holistic growth and successful transition to other educational settings.

3. Behaviour Management
Trauma-Informed Practice:Deep understanding of how SEMH needs manifest as 'challenging' behaviour and the ability to implement restorative, non-punitive strategies and provisions.
EBSA Support:Experience in developing reintegration plans for pupils struggling with school attendance due to anxiety or emotional distress.
De-escalation:Highly skilled in conflict resolution and the ability to train others in maintaining a safe, regulated school environment.

4. Personal Development and Inclusion
Holistic Growth:Commitment to a 'whole-child' approach, ensuring pupils develop the life skills, emotional literacy, and self-regulation needed for life beyond our setting.
Safeguarding:An unwavering commitment to safeguarding, with a comprehensive understanding of the specific vulnerabilities faced by pupils in alternative provision.
Multi-Agency Collaboration:Experience working with external partners (i.e Mainstream schools, Social Care, SEND Operations, CAMHS, Local Authorities etc.) to facilitate pupils' successful return to mainstream settings or other specialised provisions.

Why Join Us?
Working at our school is more than a job; it's a mission. We offer:

• A highly supportive and collaborative Trust team and school leadership team.
• Extensive professional development opportunities focused on SEND and alternative provision leadership.
• The chance to innovate and shape the future of our school's pastoral and academic offer.
• Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. If you are ready to be that leader, we want to hear from you.

Please read the full job description attached, which lists all the duties you would be expected to cover.

Please note that interviews will take place on Wednesday 6th May 2026.

The following pre-employment checks will be required where applicable to the role and setting:

- receipt of satisfactory references
- verification of identity
- a satisfactory DBS disclosure if undertaking Regulated Activity
- verification that you not barred from working with Children
- verification that you are not prohibited from teaching
- verification of medical fitness for the particular role
- verification of qualifications and of professional status where required e.g. QTS status
- the production of evidence of the right to work in the UK
- verification of successful completion of/exemption from statutory induction period
- verification that you are not subject to a section 128 direction preventing you from holding a management position within a school (if applicable)
- a declaration that you are not disqualified from working with children by virtue of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2018 or that you have provided a valid disqualification waiver from Ofsted

In line with recommended practice in the statutory guidance "Keeping Children Safe in Education", the school will conduct searches for information on shortlisted candidates which is publicly available on-line. The purpose is limited:

- to identify issues which call into question the applicant's suitability to work with children;
- to verify employment history.

Only information related the purposes stated will be shared with the Panel. Any information will be discussed with candidates at interview before any decisions regarding the recruitment process are made.

Recruitment Statement

Keys Co Operative Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. The Trust complies with the statutory legislative requirements and guidance that seeks to protect children including 'Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance'. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. This includes the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting documents. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

Keys Co Operative Academy recognises the value of, and seeks to achieve, a diverse workforce which includes people from all backgrounds. We take positive steps to create an employment culture in which people feel confident of being treated with fairness, dignity and tolerance irrespective of their individual differences. This is embedded through our co-operative values. This commitment extends beyond the relationship between and conduct of employees and potential employees, to the whole community. Keys Co Operative Academy Trust is committed to the elimination of unlawful discrimination and to the promotion of good relations.

Information about the School

Mid Essex Co-operative Academy is an 4 – 16 school for 135 young people most of whom have found it difficult to be successful in a mainstream school.

We are very proud of the provision we offer. Students are taught in small groups and they study the core curriculum at both Key Stage 3 and 4. In addition to the core curriculum, we provide rich and varied extended curriculum opportunities ranging from music therapy, targeted literacy intervention, horse riding to vocational courses and work experience placements. Small classes benefit students and enable them to make good progress as staff can ensure that learning is tailored to individual student needs.

At Key Stage 3, in partnership with local schools, we focus on supporting young people to return to a mainstream school. At Key Stage 4, we focus on providing the opportunity for students to gain 5 GCSEs to ensure a successful transition to post 16 education or training. Many of the young people who attend Mid Essex Co-operative Academy arrive here at a point of crisis or conflict in their lives. It is our aim to ensure that we help them to regain a sense of confidence and self-esteem which allows them to compete on equal terms with their peers, despite the disruption to their education caused by leaving mainstream school. We have an ongoing target that none of our Year 11 leavers are NEET (Not in education, employment or training) and we regularly maintain this excellent target.

The Primary unit for Key Stage 1 and 2 students is located in Witham. The school opened in January 2021. As with the secondary unit, this serves young people, most of whom have found it difficult to be successful in a mainstream school. We are very proud of the provision we offer. Students are taught in small groups and they study the core curriculum. In addition to the core curriculum, we provide rich and varied extended curriculum opportunities ranging from music therapy, targeted literacy intervention, horse riding to vocational courses and work experience placements. Small classes benefit students and enable them to make good progress as staff can ensure that learning is tailored to individual student needs.