Position Start Date: 01/09/2025 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 21/04/2025 Midnight Date of Interviews: 24th & 25th April 2025
Headteacher Designate Wolsey Park School / Chetwood
Salary range: Group 7 pay range
A unique opportunity has arisen for an exceptional Headteacher, or Senior Leader, who is seeking a new challenge, and wishes to join a dynamic and supportive Trust as Headteacher Designate of The Wolsey Park and Chetwood School. Zenith Multi Academy Trust was established in 2017, and currently consists of three secondary schools, one special school, and one primary school in South East Essex.
This brand new special school provision will open in January 2027, across two carefully planned sites in Rayleigh and South Woodham Ferrers. Together, these sites will offer an outstanding all-through education for 190 pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD), and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).
We are now seeking an inspirational leader with the knowledge and experience to transform this vision into reality. This will include shaping the school's ethos and values, contributing to the design and layout of both sites, establishing the curriculum and therapeutic offer, and recruiting and developing a high-quality and committed staff team to ensure the school will be a true beacon of excellence. Our Trust is ethical and inclusive, and all our work is underpinned by our four Trust values of dignity, collaboration, positivity, and aspiration.
As a Headteacher within our Trust, you will be given both the autonomy to lead, and the support to improve and develop your school. As a Trust, we believe in giving leaders the space and resources to realise their vision for the school, whilst holding them to account for standards and outcomes.
You will need to be a successful Headteacher or Senior Leader who:
1. Has a compelling and ambitious vision for inclusive education and high aspirations for pupils with complex needs
2. Provides a safe and caring aspirational environment for all pupils
3. Has a proven track record of achieving excellent outcomes for pupils with SEND
4. Can lead and develop a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality education and care
5. Motivates and inspires pupils, staff, and parents/carers
6. Commits to working collaboratively with colleagues, pupils, families, and the wider community
7. Can build strong, effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including the Local Authority, health, and social care partners
8. Understands and champions the importance of communication as central to teaching, learning, and well-being for pupils with complex needs.
We can offer you:
1. The opportunity to lead and shape a brand new school and build your own leadership team
2. Close collaboration with our existing Headteachers, CEO, and Trust leaders, within a strong culture of mutual support
3. Highly engaged and supportive Trustees and Governors
4. Extensive CPD and leadership development opportunities
5. Full support and partnership with Essex Local Authority, the Department for Education, and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)
6. Access to the well-established and vibrant Essex Special Schools network
Why join Zenith?
We offer a wide range of additional benefits to our teams, including:
1. Access to outstanding ready-made professional networks and CPD
2. Benenden Healthcare, including access to a GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family
3. VIVUP Employee Assistance Programme and Lifestyle savings membership
4. On-site staff counselling programme
5. Annual calendar of wellbeing events
6. Generous Teachers' Pension and Local Government Pensions schemes
We encourage you to visit us, and we hope that you will be excited by the opportunities we have to offer.
Trust visit: Visits are encouraged and appointments are available by appointment between 24th March - 4th April 2025. Please contact Leigh Christensen, Trust Director of HR, to arrange, leighch@zmat.co.uk
Information about the School
We are a small, locally-based Trust in South East Essex, currently comprising one primary school, three secondary schools, and one special school. Our schools offer a high quality educational experience through a broad curriculum in a caring and friendly environment.
The Trust has good staff retention and is wholly committed to continued professional development. The Trust offers a range of excellent staff benefits, including free healthcare through Benenden Healthcare scheme.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.
#J-18808-Ljbffr