Head of School in London, Greater London

Head of School - Foundation Learning

Permanent

Location: London

Salary: £53,656 per annum

Are you an experienced FE leader with a strong SEND and High Needs background?

About the Role

A school in London is seeking a Head of School – Foundation Learning to provide strategic and operational leadership across specialist provision for learners with mild to complex needs.

You'll lead curriculum and support teams, drive high-quality teaching, learning and assessment, and work to improve outcomes for learners across the Foundation Learning provision. This is a senior leadership role with a start date of August 2026.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing curriculum and support teams.
• Driving high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.
• Leading SEND/High Needs curriculum development and quality improvement.
• Improving learner achievement, retention, attendance and progression.
• Leading on self-assessment, performance data and improvement planning.
• Developing partnerships with Local Authorities, schools and external agencies.
• Managing staff, resources and budgets effectively.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Proven leadership experience within SEND/High Needs FE provision
• Experience managing and developing teams
• Strong knowledge of SEND curriculum and quality frameworks
• Experience with quality improvement, self-assessment and curriculum development
• A Level 5+ recognised teaching qualification
• Strong communication, strategic and partnership-building skills

This is an excellent opportunity to take a senior leadership role within a specialist Foundation Learning provision and make a real impact on learner outcomes.

If you're ready to lead and shape specialist provision for learners with SEND and High Needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Important Notice

Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn't quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Dovetail and Slate Ltd ((phone number removed)) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters.

© Dovetail and Slate Limited.