Headteacher

Peak School, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 6ES

20 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st January 2027 or 1st April 2027

• Closing date

  29 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  9 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £81,457.00 - £94,348.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership Pay Scale (Points 18-24)

Headteacher job summary

Job Title: Headteacher

Location: Peak School, Buxton Road, Chinley, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 6ES

Grade/Scale: Leadership Pay Scale

Contract: Full time, permanent

Join Our Peak School Family

At Peak School, we believe every child deserves the very best opportunities to thrive, achieve and be happy. Our motto, "Unique People, Individualised Approaches," sits at the heart of everything we do and reflects our commitment to understanding every pupil as an individual.

Alongside this, our whole-school values of being kind, being a team, listening to each other and trying our best shape our daily interactions and create a culture where pupils, staff and families feel welcomed, respected and valued.

We are a warm, welcoming and ambitious special school with 91 incredible pupils and a dedicated staff team who are passionate about making a difference every day. Our pupil population is exceptionally diverse, encompassing a broad range of needs including PMLD, SLD, Autism, SEMH and complex communication, sensory and medical needs. This richness of need challenges us to think creatively and work collaboratively. We believe every pupil can succeed when they are understood, valued and given the right support to thrive.

As our current Headteacher moves into a new role within the Trust's School Improvement Team, we are seeking an exceptional leader to join our school community and build on the significant progress and exciting journey underway at our school.

Why join Peak School?

This is a particularly special time to join Peak School. In July 2025, Ofsted judged us to be Good in all areas, recognising the dedication, care and commitment shown by our pupils, staff, families and governors. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together.

We are not looking to change who we are. We are looking for the right person to lead us, as we continue to build on our strong foundations, continue to improve our provision, ensuring that every pupil receives the highest quality education, care and opportunities possible.

Our pupils deserve an ambitious curriculum, exceptional pastoral support and a school experience that helps them develop confidence, independence and lifelong memories. We are looking for a Headteacher who shares our vision.

Who We are Looking For

We welcome applications from leaders with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from mainstream and special schools or enhanced resource provisions within either the primary or secondary sectors.

The successful candidate will have:

A proven track record of successful leadership

A strong understanding of SEND and inclusive practice

The ability to inspire and develop staff

High aspirations for children and young people with additional needs

A commitment to collaborative working and continuous improvement

Support and Development

You will be joining a supportive and established leadership team and will benefit from the extensive support available through Esteem Multi-Academy Trust.

All schools within the Esteem network are supported by a diverse and experienced central team, alongside a group of like-minded school leaders and specialists who work collaboratively to improve outcomes for pupils. We firmly believe that we are stronger together and that sharing expertise benefits everyone.

Please see the attached Application pack including a Welcome from The CEO and more information about Peak School and Esteem MAT.

Please review the attached Job Description to learn more about the role and what we are looking for in the successful candidate.

Benefits Include:

- Teacher's Pension Scheme / LGPS Pension Scheme (16.6% employer contributions)

- Generous holiday entitlement

- Access to Westfield Health membership scheme including cashback schemes for health and retail benefits, discounted gym memberships, and free confidential advice.

- Access to National College CPD platform.

- Access to My Money Matters Financial Wellbeing Platform

- Enhanced Maternity Pay

Come and See Us:

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to visit Peak School and experience first-hand the warmth, ambition and sense of community that make our school such a special place to work.

You will meet a team who genuinely care for one another, celebrate success together and are united by a shared determination to provide the very best for our pupils.

To arrange a visit or an informal conversation with Jo Howarth, please contact the school office on 01663 750324 or email jhowarth@peakschool.co.uk

We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates upon application and may close the application process prior to this date

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status. 

Perfection is not required, if you are excited by the role and our organisation, but not sure if you meet 100% of the criteria, we would still love to hear from you!

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Esteem Multi-Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. We expect all staff, volunteers and agency staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.

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.

About Peak School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 2 to 19
• Size: 86 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Peak School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/peak-school-high-peak

Peak is a community special school in Chinley, North Derbyshire, welcoming pupils who experience a wide range of needs from a large catchment area including Derbyshire, Tameside and Cheshire.

Our school is part of the Esteem Multi-Academy Trust which includes several other special schools, all striving to secure high quality education for their young people by working together, sharing expertise and practice.

To learn more about out school, visit https://www.peakschool.co.uk/

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