Assistant Headteacher, Behaviour, Attendance, PD & Wellbeing

What skills and experience we're looking for

Arbour Academy provides a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum delivered in a small nurturing environment, for young people unable to access a mainstream school setting due to anxiety and mental health needs.

Arbour aims to re‑engage each young person with their education, develop social skills and learn coping strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing. Through tailored therapeutic support, skilled staff and a small nurturing environment we aim to ensure learners feel safe, secure and supported and as a result are able to access the education they deserve.

We recognise that education is not a ‘one size fits all’ model and carefully tailor our provision to meet every individual’s needs.

Professionalism and the highest expectations are at the heart of everything we do, developing a love of learning and improving our learners’ life chances as a result.

We do things differently –H.E.R.E

High Standards

Empathy

Resilience

Emotional Response

If you are looking for a new challenge, with a desire to empower children to exceed expectations, this could be the school for you.

We are seeking a skilled and highly motivated Assistant Headteacher with experience in SEN to join our high‑quality school. This is an exciting and challenging leadership role, contributing directly to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people.

The successful candidate will lead on Behaviour, Attendance, Personal Development and Wellbeing across the Academy.

This will include strategic and operational responsibility for:

• Behaviour culture and relational practice
• Personal Development and Alternative Provision
• Outdoor Education
• Careers
• Attendance Rewards, recognition and wellbeing.

You will be a hardworking and enthusiastic professional with a proven ability to engage the most disengaged learners and to lead colleagues with clarity, empathy and high expectations.

If you have a strong track record of delivering excellence, alongside experience of working with complex needs and challenging behaviour, this position may be for you.

Arbour Academy is committed to promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, provide suitable references, evidence of qualifications and be subject to identity checks.

For further information, please contact Mrs Colette Heavey – Executive School Business Manager:

Completed application forms should be emailed to

Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday 11th February 2026

Interviews:
Tuesday 24th February 2026

Start date:

ASAP

Trust Wellbeing Package Early Friday finish

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.