Millside School is an established Special School which is based in Slough to meet the needs of pupils aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. The school has up to 85 pupils on roll with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), primarily with SEMH but may also include ADHD, ASD and/or a range of complex needs.
Millside School is part of Haybrook College Trust, which is an Alternative Provision academy meeting the needs of vulnerable pupils across Slough, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and other surrounding boroughs.
Haybrook College is a successful Alternative Provision and SEMH Special School. Our recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025 stated that we, ‘ rapidly build positive and trusting relationships with pupils. This means that pupils’ needs are quickly known by staff and well met. As such, most pupils achieve very well.’
Read our latest Ofsted Report 10341796 - Haybrook College - 142607 - Final PDF.pdf
This is an excellent opportunity for an inspirational and experienced Senior Leader to join our fantastic team at time of positive developments of the Special School. The new Head of Centre at Millside School will arrive at a very exciting time to help shape and develop the provision for the future, demonstrating their strategic response to our cohort’s complex and changing needs. As Head of Centre, you will continue to develop Millside School through the next phase of expansion with the planned extension and addition of 6 classroom spaces due for completion by November 2025.
As Head of Centre at Millside School, you will embed Haybrook College’s vision and ethos across the Centre and promote a relentless focus on quality first teaching, creative learning, and meeting our pupils educational and personal needs. You will lead the team to support our pupils to overcome their behavioural difficulties, develop their social skills and raise their aspirations to become valued members of the local community.
With support from the Trustee Board, Executive Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Centre will have professional responsibility for the education, operational leadership, organisation, and management of the school.
The Head of Centre will:
* Create a culture of continuous improvement through inspirational leadership, being committed to the highest levels of achievement for all areas of Millside School, in order to provide an outstanding education for all of our pupils.
* Manage the day-to-day operations of Millside School and have a sound grasp of the essentials of running a successful specialist setting: teaching and learning in a SEND school; curriculum delivery; staff training and development. This requires a hands-on approach.
* Ensure a high-quality service is provided to meet the educational and support needs of our pupils.
* Ensure that Millside School meets the SEND Code of Practice in delivering the statutory components of EHCPs and the requirements of relevant inspection and regulatory bodies.
* Develop a cohesive staff that work together to meet the educational and social needs of our young people.
* Develop Millside School’s offer for present and future needs in conjunction with the Haybrook College Senior Leadership Team.
* Be outward facing looking to work closely with the local authorities, external agencies and communicate effectively with all stakeholders including Trustees, parents and carers.
About You
The successful candidate will demonstrate a range of SEND experience in a mainstream, specialist or Alternative Provision setting, including leading others and strategic developmental change. You will have a passion for meeting the needs of a complex range of pupils and be aspirational about your personal development.
The candidate will:
* Demonstrate a wealth of relevant experience as senior leader supporting SEND pupils within a complex and changeable working environment.
* Have relevant experience working with young people who have additional learning and communication difficulties including Speech and Language.
* Be experienced with Ofsted procedures/inspections and working with School Improvement Partners to accurately assess and implement improvements.
* Manage budgets effectively and ensure cost efficiency and financial compliance.
* Have a relevant teaching qualification and classroom experience or demonstrate extensive leadership and management experience working within a Specialist or AP educational setting.
What We Offer
Working with young people with a range of SEND needs is not for everyone. It takes a special kind of person to give kindness and compassion to a complex and often challenging cohort of young people. We work hard to support our staff so they can do the best possible job and find that work life balance everyone deserves.
We offer:
* Excellent professional support from a welcoming wider team across the college.
* Regular line management support from a Head of Centre and Curriculum Leader.
* Additional support from an experienced central team.
* Free access to Educational Support Partnership.
* Highly valuable Continued Professional Development delivered by experts.
* A thorough induction package.
* Competitive salary.
* Access to TPS.
* Free flu vaccinations.
* Access to salary sacrifice schemes for cycles, ICT/Electronics and Ikea.
* Wellbeing days.
How to apply
Haybrook College welcomes visits and would encourage further discussions from prospective candidates wishing to find out more about this exciting opportunity. To do so please contact Jamie Rockman, EHT, via Suzanne Green at SuzanneGreen@haybrookcollege.co.uk
The, Person Specification and Application Form can be downloaded from the Vacancies page of our website
Email your completed application form to Jenny Tsang at recruitment@haybrookcollege.co.uk
Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. In your application you must explain clearly in your supporting statement why you are applying for the role and how you have been equipped for it by your experience and qualifications. In your concluding section, please also outline how you believe your skills, experience, and educational philosophy have prepared you for the role of Head of Centre at Millside School. A shortlist will be drawn up based only on the completed application and supporting statement.
Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 2 April 2025.
Interviews on Tuesday 29 April April 2025.
Haybrook College Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people according to child protection and safeguarding guidelines. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.