Headteacher
Frank Wise School, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9RL11 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
23 October 2026 at 8am
Date listed
12 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L19 to L25
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- Degree or equivalent qualification.
- Evidence of relevant professional development.
- Safeguarding training appropriate to senior leadership responsibilities.
Desirable
- National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) or equivalent.
- Postgraduate qualification in education, leadership or SEND.
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience within a special school or SEND setting.
- Experience of leading whole-school improvement.
- Experience of managing staff and resources effectively.
- Experience of working successfully with families and external agencies.
- Experience of safeguarding leadership.
- Experience of monitoring and improving teaching and learning.
Desirable
- Previous Headship experience.
- Experience of working across school partnerships or networks.
- Experience of leading organisational change.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Excellent understanding of SEND legislation and practice.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding requirements.
- Understanding of curriculum development for pupils with complex learning difficulties.
- Understanding of school self-evaluation and improvement planning.
- Knowledge of financial and resource management.
- Understanding of governance and accountability structures.
Desirable
- Knowledge of national developments within the SEND sector.
- Understanding of research-informed practice and implementation.
Leadership Competencies
Essential
- Ability to articulate a clear vision and inspire others.
- Commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity.
- Strategic thinking combined with operational effectiveness.
- Capacity to build strong relationships and partnerships.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Emotional intelligence, resilience and integrity.
- Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
- Ability to develop leaders at all levels.
Leadership qualities
Essential
- An unwavering belief in the potential of every child and young person.
- The ability to combine high expectations with care, warmth and respect.
- A commitment to seeing pupils as individuals rather than as diagnoses or labels.
- The ability to build trusting and productive relationships with families.
- A commitment to professional learning and staff development.
- The ability to sustain a culture that is structured, ambitious, innovative and inclusive.
- A passion for preparing children and young people for greater independence and fulfilling adult lives.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Warm, approachable and relational.
- Values-driven and ethical.
- High expectations for all pupils and staff.
- Collaborative and reflective.
- Committed to continuous improvement.
- Adaptable and forward-thinking.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
What the school offers its staff
- The opportunity to lead an established and highly respected special school.
- Dedicated and skilled staff committed to making a difference.
- Engaged and supportive families.
- A knowledgeable and ambitious governing body.
- Strong local and national partnerships.
- Opportunities to contribute to wider SEND development and innovation.
- A school community united by a belief in the potential of every learner.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Frank Wise School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the best interests of our students.We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.All posts within the school are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and appointments are made subject to enhanced DBS and barred list checks.A minimum of two references will be sought and there will be a 6 month probationary period.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Frank Wise School
- Organisation type
- Special school, ages 2 to 19
- Size
- 119 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Frank Wise School website
- Email address
- office@frankwise.oxon.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01295 263520
Frank Wise School caters for 120 students aged between 2 and 19 years with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties. We serve a growing community within a mixed catchment area extending over 15 miles across much of North Oxfordshire.
Currently, the school has 12 broadly chronologically-based classes, including a Foundation class and a Post-16 class. Students are grouped by age to enable every child to develop within a socially diverse Family Group in which each child is valued as a unique individual. Each class of around 9 children is led by a teacher supported by three full-time Classroom Support Officers.
Arranging a visit to Frank Wise School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@frankwise.oxon.sch.uk.
School location
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