Assistant Headteacher
Leadership L6-L10 (£56,316 to £62,200)
Permanent
The Heights Academy, Auckland Drive, Solihull, B36 0DD
Start Date: September 2025, or earlier through discussion with successful candidate
Are you an experienced leader ready to inspire and transform education? Here at The Heights Academy, we are seeking a highly effective, creative and inspirational Assistant Headteacher who has a proven track record in either enhancing the Quality of Education or leading SEND and Inclusion.
This is an exciting and unique opportunity! Being involved at the beginning of the journey of a new school is not something that presents itself very often. The Heights Academy opened in September 2023 in a brand-new build, and this is an opportunity to be part of the next stage of our journey. Now in our second year of opening, we have a PAN of 64 across Key Stage 2, Year 7 and Year 8. Over the next few years, we will grow to a PAN of 116 pupils across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4. All our pupils have an EHCP with a diagnosis of Autism with possible associated SEMH.
In our endeavour to meet the wide ranging educational and social needs of our pupils, we provide an appropriate, aspirational curriculum, which encompasses and extends the National Curriculum. Our values as a school underpin everything we do and will be at the centre of the development of this role:
Successful Learners, Respectful Citizens, Confident Individuals
For Quality of Education Leaders: We are looking for an exceptional leader to spearhead initiatives that enhance the curriculum, teaching and learning across the school. Implement strategies that ensure high standards and expectations driving engagement and pupil progress. Make a real difference in the lives of our students, as you inspire and mentor both staff and pupils alike!
For SEND and Inclusion Leaders: An outstanding leader to drive the development and implementation of transformative SEND policies and procedures that ensure every pupil thrives in a safe and supportive environment. In this pivotal role, you will lead innovative pastoral programs that champion mental health, build resilience, and foster positive relationships throughout our vibrant school community.
It is essential that you are:
* An outstanding leader and teacher who has experience of working with children with special educational needs
* Committed to engaging and inspiring our pupils and have the ability to make a real difference to their learning and general well-being.
* Able to demonstrate real capacity to work in a setting supporting children with Autism
* Able to work to a high standard and be receptive to developmental feedback
* A driven and inspiring practitioner who leads the way in terms of innovation and thinking for yourself
* Happiest when contributing to creating a collaborative environment in which pupils and staff thrive
* Resilient, supportive, kind, aspirational
In return you will enjoy:
* Exceptional Support from Forward Education Trust
* A friendly and inclusive working environment with a commitment to creating work life balance and promoting staff wellbeing
* Excellent remuneration package and benefits
* Opportunity to continue your professional development journey
* The opportunity to make a huge contribution to the education and lives of children who respond very positively to high quality teaching and support.
Forward Education Trust is an established MAT of seven special schools based in the West Midlands, covering areas in Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an Employee Value Proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:
* Teacher Pension or Support Staff Local Government Pension – Employer Contribution
* FET HUB – information all in one place, access to a range of benefits
* Paid for Health Cash Plan – employee and dependent children benefit – option to add partner
* Employee Questionnaire – Consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
* Access to the NHS approved Thrive App – to support mental health & well-being
* Comprehensive induction and probation support and an ongoing performance management & appraisal system
* Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme – free, totally confidential advice, with face-to-face consultations
* Personal & professional learning & development – including FLICK online learning and other resources
* Occupational Health Service – accessible to support the needs of individual staff
* Staff recognition – e-cards to celebrate success among colleagues
* Mental Health First Aiders
* Policies being developed to support positive health & well-being: Family Friendly Working, Special Leave of Absence, Flexible Working, Menopause
If you feel that we may be the right place for you, we hope you will consider applying for the post. Visits to the school are encouraged, so that you can see first-hand what The Heights Academy has to offer. To arrange a school visit, please contact the office on 0121 269 6000. You may wish to discuss your suitability for the role informally, as well as clarify how your specific skills and experience match our options for appointing with specific responsibility for leading Quality of Education or for SEND and Inclusion.
For more information, and to request an application pack, please contact recruitment@fet.ac
Closing date: 12th February 2025
Shortlisting date: 13th February 2025
Interviews: 25th February 2025
* We reserve the right to close this vacancy sooner if necessary. Candidates are encouraged to return their application as soon as possible.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role. Please note that only standard Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted, we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV). Enhanced DBS clearance, Disqualification (regulations) 2009, prohibition checks and if overseas trained, Certificate of good conduct will need to be obtained if applicable prior to interview.