[260708E] Head of School
Peak Academy, Dursley, GL11 5HD16 days remaining to apply
Start date details
January 2027 or Sooner
Closing date
20 August 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
9 July 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £73,330.00 - £84,669.00 Annually (Actual) Leadership Scale L15 - L21
[260708E] Head of School job summary
Post: Head of School
Location: PEAK Academy, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 5HD
FTE Salary Range: Leadership Scale L15 - L21; £73,105 - £84,669
Contract Type: Permanent, full time
Contract Hours: 1FTE per week, Monday to Friday
To view our Applicant Pack, please use the following link: - Headteacher & Head of School Applicant Pack
Lead Inclusive Excellence. Shape the Future. Transform Lives.
This is a rare opportunity to join Reach South Academy Trust at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation in SEND education.
We are seeking exceptional leaders to take up highly influential roles across our specialist provision, including this key post as Head of School at The Peak Academy.
These are not traditional leadership roles. They are system leadership opportunities within a Trust committed to inclusion, innovation and social justice.
Across Reach South, our specialist schools are built on a simple model: when children feel safe, experience success and build trust, they learn, achieve and thrive.
Aligned to national SEND priorities, our work strengthens inclusive capacity across the education system.
“Across our Peak provision, we are focusing on transformation, raising standards, strengthening outcomes and growing the reach of inclusive education.”
Nicola Whitcombe, Regional Director
About the Role - Head of School, The Peak Academy
The Peak Academy is a specialist provision for pupils with SEMH needs, at an important stage in its development.
- A school on a clear transformation journey
- Strong commitment to improving consistency, quality and outcomes
- Significant opportunity to shape curriculum, culture and provision
This is an exciting opportunity to:
- Play a key leadership role in driving rapid and sustained improvement
- Embed high expectations and raise standards across the school
- Work closely with Trust leaders to develop capacity and growth
- Contribute to wider SEND system leadership across the region
The Opportunity
You will:
- Lead day-to-day school operations and improvement
- Inspire and develop a committed staff team
- Ensure high-quality provision for pupils with complex needs
- Work within a regional hub model, contributing to wider improvement work
Why Join Reach South?
- Be part of an ambitious Trust with strong SEND expertise
- Benefit from close support from executive leadership
- Work in a collaborative, values-led environment
- Play a central role in a school improvement journey with real impact
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a leader who:
- Has experience of driving improvement in complex settings
- Demonstrates resilience, clarity and strong operational leadership
- Is passionate about inclusive education and pupil outcomes
- Has the ambition and potential to grow as a system leader
About the School
PEAK Academy is a day specialist provider of education in Dursley, Gloucestershire for children and young people aged from 11 to 16 years who have an SEMH profile. There are currently 60 pupils on roll but Reach South plans, in partnership with the LA to diversify both number and age range.
PEAK formally joined Reach South in August 2022. The Trust has secured capital to ensure the capacity for growth and diversification.
PEAK’s aim is to build safe independent lives for the SEMH population through a process of understanding, support, and enablement. To achieve this goal the school looks at the unique impact social, emotional, and mental health experiences has on the individual child. From this we aim as a school to personalise the child’s curriculum, care, and therapeutic package to ensure every child achieves and experiences success and independence.
REACH South is a forward-thinking academy trust that puts the child, and their diagnosis first. Springfields Academy, Calne was the first Reach South special school (Ofsted good March 2022. NAS advanced status June 2022) In September 2023 SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspiration Learners) will open. The three schools will work very closely to meet, lead, and shape regional agendas.
This is a unique opportunity to not only join the team at Peak, but also to work for a Trust within a framework of specialist provision. The Trust, our schools, and our pupils require teachers who are looking to be innovative, bold, and collaborative. You can help to design your pupil’s curriculum and influence their future. Your work will always be challenging and rewarding as a part of the Reach South Specialist team.
About the Trust
We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.
We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.
These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.
Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.
Next Steps
If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.
Closing date: for applications is 20th August 2026
Interview Date:
All shortlisted candidates will be required to visit The Peak Academy as part of the interview process. This visit is a vital part of the process and provides an opportunity to experience the culture and ethos of our Trust first-hand. Shortlisted candidates will be given availability to arrange a visit to the school, unless the candidate has already visited the school during the application stage.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an Assessment Day between 16 - 18 September 2026 at The Springfields Academy, Wiltshire.
Successful candidates from the Assessment Day (Day 1) will be invited to Day 2 interviews at The Peak Academy on 28 September 2026.
To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.
Opportunities and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary plus TPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.
We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.
Further information about the job
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.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Peak Academy
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Size
- 65 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Peak Academy website
School location
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