Assistant Headteacher

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? 

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fixing what needs fixing, together. 

This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.

Who we are

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 are seeking an inspiring and values-driven leader to take strategic responsibility for inclusion, personal development and wellbeing across our community. This role plays a vital part in shaping a culture where every individual feels safe, respected and empowered to thrive.

The successful candidate will lead with integrity, acting with fairness, transparency and strong moral purpose in all aspects of their work. They will demonstrate courage by advocating for equity, challenging barriers, and driving meaningful change that improves outcomes for all. Central to the role is care—a genuine commitment to the wellbeing, development and dignity of students and staff.

You will provide strategic direction, develop inclusive practice, and work collaboratively to ensure wellbeing and personal growth are embedded at the heart of the organisation’s ethos. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by leading with values and placing people at the centre of everything we do.

There will be a teaching element to this role.

The Right Person

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
• An excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communicator.
• The ability/willing to teach a subject specialism to GCSE or equivalent vocational level.
• A strong desire to work inclusively within an emotionally literate environment, supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• Experience of crisis-management/managing challenging behaviours and working with children with SEMH difficulties.
• Proven experience of implementing a creative and academically engaging curriculum which meets the needs of individual pupils, whilst maintaining high standards of education
• Experience of effective working with hard-to-reach or disengaged families.

Benefits and Rewards

• 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

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services(previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use.

All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children.  All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.