Head of School | Compass Schools

Who we are

Compass Community School South is an independent specialist school providing high-quality, therapeutic and child-centred education to pupils from 11 to 17 years of age in Newhaven, East Sussex.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role                                                   

We know that the way in which the Head of School leads our school will define its outcomes, successes, and character. That’s why we’re looking for a passionate, committed individual who shares our vision and can embody our ethos in all areas of education.

As Head of School, you’ll be responsible for coordinating the delivery of a holistic curriculum that places our pupils needs at the centre of their learning. You’ll work closely with a range of industry professionals, managing your team of staff and delivering clear, authentic leadership that will inspire, engage, and influence real change within your school.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice
• Have experience working with children with SEMH & SEND, with an understanding of crisis-management, managing behaviour that challenges and supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
• Be able and willing to teach Maths and/or English to GCSE level, with additional experience in delivering vocational BTEC, Functional Skills or ELC courses.
• Have experience in designing and delivering creative and academically engaging curriculums, with excellent management skills and the ability to work with various professional networks.
• Be driven to engage in all aspects of school life, with the passion and resilience to make a difference to the lives of their pupils.

Benefits and Rewards

As a trauma informed organisation, all our staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. As a Head of School with Compass Community Schools, you’ll be part of a passionate team of professionals, benefitting from:

• Staff laptop and mobile phone
• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating-out and takeaways

Safeguarding

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Compass Community values equality and diversity across our workforce and aims to ensure our staff community is reflective of the diversity of the children and young people within our care. In support of this commitment, we welcome applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.