Job Description

Mid Essex Co-operative Academy has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher.

The Role - Assistant Headteacher
Are you an inspirational, resilient, and empathetic senior leader dedicated to changing outcomes for vulnerable learners?

We are seeking an Assistant Headteacher to lead our pastoral, attendance, and safeguarding vision. Grounded in Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP), therapeutic principles, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion, you will play a pivotal role in creating a safe, relational, and high-aspiration environment where every pupil belongs and can thrive.

As part of the Keys Co-operative Academy Trust (KCAT), your work will be underpinned by Trust-level policies and our core Co-operative Values. You will work actively as a key member of the Trust-wide DSL team, collaborating with peer leaders across our academies to drive cohesion, shared expertise, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities & Main Role Summary

• Lead Relational & Inclusive Pastoral Care: Strategic oversight and day-to-day management of behaviour, attendance, and pastoral systems across our Alternative Provision setting.
• Embed Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP): Champion TPP and relational approaches across all school systems, moving away from punitive measures to foster emotional regulation, dignity, and proactive support.
• Implement Therapeutic Thinking Frameworks: Lead the use of Therapeutic Thinking paperwork, applying root-cause analysis, therapeutic risk assessments, and targeted support plans for disaffected or trauma-impacted pupils.
• Trust-Wide DSL & Safeguarding Leadership: Serve as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in school while collaborating as an active member of the Trust DSL team to conduct audits, moderate practice, and ensure statutory compliance. (The detailed DSL Job Description attached sits alongside this role).
• Drive Trust Cohesion & Policy Implementation: Translate Trust-level policies into school practice while working alongside counterpart leaders across KCAT to align systems and build cross-trust cohesion.
• Champion Co-operative Values: Embody and promote the Trust's core values-self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity-across all interactions with pupils, staff, families, and multi-agency partners.
• Staff Mentoring & Multi-Agency Collaboration: Coach staff in trauma-informed strategies, lead appraisals, and build transparent, supportive partnerships with parents, carers, SENCO, and external agencies.

What We Are Looking For

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with proven senior or middle leadership experience in secondary or AP settings.
• Deep knowledge and practical experience in Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP) and Therapeutic Thinking paperwork/risk planning.
• A collaborative leader committed to working within a Multi-Academy Trust framework and Trust DSL team.
• A leader who embodies empathy, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to educational equity for every pupil.

Why Join Us?

Working at our school is more than a job, it's a mission. We offer:

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable young people
• A supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership & Trust Team
• A School community committed to co-operative values
• Professional development opportunities

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 and accompanying DSL document attached, which lists all the duties you would be expected to cover.

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.