Headteacher - The Kairos Academy KS4

The Kairos Academy (KS4), Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV4 6SR

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2025 or January 2025

• Closing date

  15 July 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  30 June 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: £82,654.00 - £95,734.00 (Inclusive of 4% rise - September)

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Kairos Academy KS4 is entering an exciting new chapter as we continue to shape a provision built firmly in line with The YES Way—the Youth Engagement Schools Trust’s vision for inclusive, high-quality education that transforms lives. Currently led by the Trust’s Director of Education, the focus has been on establishing a strong foundation for teaching and learning, underpinned by consistent routines and a culture where every learner is supported to thrive. There has been a clear investment in staff development, particularly around behaviour for learning and our enquiry-led pedagogical approach. These cornerstones are enabling us to raise aspirations, improve outcomes, and ensure students are well prepared for strong post-16 destinations .As we look ahead, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to take the campus into its next phase. This includes further embedding high standards, driving school improvement, and leading the planned expansion of the provision to include post-16 pathways. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record in Alternative Provision, with deep experience in school improvement and growth.We are looking for someone who embodies the values of Youth Engagement Schools Trust, and who shares our unwavering belief in the potential of every young person. This is a unique opportunity to lead a campus with a powerful moral purpose, positively impacting more young lives across the local area.

As the Headteacher you lead the direction of the school, facilitating your team to get the most from the cohort of learners.

Put differently, our staff are the key!

You serve a cohort of young people with diverse and challenging behavioural and emotional needs and with complex barriers to learning. Your approach therefore, is adapted to the individual children in our care. This means that you are responsive as we seek to find creative ways to ensure each young person has an opportunity to grow and develop.

Consistent, healthy and authentic relationships are essential to our success. Only these allow the nurturing of trust with our students and new competencies to be developed.

Through compassionate support to our vulnerable young people and leading from the front, you are an inspirational role model, to all under the school’s guidance reminding students that it is possible for them to become confident and active members of their community and wider society.

You work with a team of professionals to ensure that all the young people you are supporting have their needs met and are being appropriately cared for finding innovative ways to engage with the staff team and young people alike.

You have the ability to captivate the interest and foster the commitment of all stakeholders to work in partnership with the school. In return, you are supported through a programme of personal development, which includes on-going professional training and employment perks. We will make a commitment to your welfare, so that you can sustain your commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for the cohort.

Character and leadership abilities

Character

Our Core Values are:

-Child centred

-Adaptive and sensitive to need

-Authentic in all our relationships

You are genuinely committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable children.

You are a champion of the YES trust’s moral purpose, which seeks to create inclusion and equity for all through open and honest relationships, perseverance and the intrinsic belief that change is always possible, no matter what an individual’s story, behaviour or diagnosis. All our staff will have a growth mind-set and will model this to the children we serve.

We believe that everyone is unique and that every student is different. Further, we recognise that race, gender, culture, sexuality and religion are dimensions of individual identity and are crucial to the unique story of that young person.

You and your team of staff provide a consistency of approach that is under-pinned by respect and a willingness to reflect on the unique stories, thoughts, feelings, behaviours, attitudes and reactions of each of our students.

We believe our vision is only achievable through personal authenticity and professional integrity.

You will demonstrate the ability to be organised, compassionate and skilled at building relationships and rapport with young people with complex needs who display challenging and often violent behaviours.

The role involves active leadership skills such as, showing others how to achieve the best results, developing a plan B or C, when plan A has not worked, empowering your staff team to be as committed as you and making your staff team feel consistently valued.

Your leadership abilities:

As an effective Headteacher within the YES Trust, you must have the skills to lead the school effectively delivering the best outcomes for learners and inspiring a staff team.

This will be done through:

Honesty and Integrity: There always needs to be an honest approach to leading a school and this also includes many difficult conversations. As one of our Headteachers you will have to demonstrate honesty and integrity in fulfilling your role, keeping at the forefront of your mind “what is best for the learners” as whatever is done should be in their best interest.

Confidence: To be an effective leader you must be confident enough to ensure that your team follow your lead. This must be balanced with an ability to listen mindfully and manage your own ego.

Inspiration: One of the most difficult jobs for a Headteacher, is to get your team to follow your direction for the school. It can only be possible if you inspire your team by setting a good example. As a Headteacher and key leader, you should have the skills to think positively and creatively and remain calm under pressure. Your approach should be visible through your actions. If you can inspire a team to work with you change and future challenges will become very easy.

Commitment and Passion: You will be “hungry” for success for your learners and The Black County Alternative Provision. The staff in your school will look up to you with every new development. To get everyone behind these developments and committed to change, you will have to be passionate about it too. When your colleagues see you getting your hands dirty, they will also give their best shot. It will also help you to gain the respect of your colleagues and infuse new energy in your staff team, which helps them to perform better.

Good Communicator: As Headteacher it is imperative to have the skills to clearly communicate your vision to your team and tell them your planned strategy to achieve the developments you have set out. Simply put, if you are unable to communicate your message effectively to your team, you can never achieve what you set out. Words have the power to motivate people, if you use them effectively, you can also achieve better results.

Decision-making: As Headteacher you should have the ability to take the right decision at the right time. Decisions taken by you will have a profound impact on your colleagues. As a YES Trust Headteacher decisions should be based on evidence, insights through data and expert advice and experience.

Although, some decisions will be your specific call, it is far more effective to use your skill set to open discussions around these decisions with key stakeholders and or peers before moving forward.

Accountability: You will have the ability to make sure that every one of your staff team is accountable for what they are doing. If they do well, ensure this is recognised and if they are experiencing difficulties, highlight this with them and work together to improve. Holding them accountable for their actions will create a sense of responsibility among your colleagues and they will go about the business more seriously.

“A good leader takes little more than their share of the blame and little less than their share of the credit.”

Delegation and Empowerment: As a Headteacher, it is particularly important for you to focus on key responsibilities of the role while empowering your team and delegating tasks to them. After this delegation it is vital that you oversee but not micromanage, by doing this you will not see a lack of trust and more importantly, you will be able to focus on important matters, as you should be.

Empathy:As a Headteacher you should develop an empathy for your colleagues and peers, make a close connection with your staff team, understand their problems and difficulties and this will allow you to lead more effectively. Knowing your staff in an empathetic way will allow you to utilise all their strengths as well as support their developments.

Job Description

Headteachers:

• Are responsible for the day-to-day management of the school as directed by the CEO / executive team or a hub Executive Headteacher.
• Lead on the strategic development of all aspects of the school.
• Provide an appropriate and outstanding curriculum for all learners.
• Raise the quality of learning and teaching.
• Enhance skills through rigorous, effective self-evaluation and appropriate professional development.
• Raise standards and progress of all learners within the school particularly in English, Maths and personal development.
• Make sure the school conforms to all safeguarding policies at all times and keeps all learners safe while in the care of the school. This includes high quality multi agency working.
• Undertake duties as identified within the summary of responsibilities and any other tasks as reasonably required by the CEO / Executive Headteacher.

General

• Lead the effective day to day management of the school, demonstrating high expectations of all.
• Make reports to the Local Support Board (LSB) and Trust as required through the annual calendar.
• Support the work of the Trust, including attendance at meetings and the production of accurate reporting on performance.
• Lead in the development of school specific staff and Student policies and procedures.
• Develop the school’s vision and values (school culture) in line with the Trusts ethos and vision.
• Provide high quality strategic direction to support the development of an outstanding school (completed in a quality School Development plan (SDP) and School Evaluation Form (SEF)
• Lead and manage staff well whilst deploying staff and resources efficiently and effectively
• Ensure students enjoy a high-quality curriculum, targeted intervention and support and outstanding teaching and learning experiences.
• Raise levels of attainment and achievement to secure outstanding progress for all pupils.

Leadership: Vision and Values

• Develop the vision of the school into agreed objectives and operational plans sharing this with staff to have all improve the school.
• Take lead responsibility for policy development and implementation across the school.
• Lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and embody for the pupils, staff, governors, parents and wider community the vision, purpose and leadership of the school.
• Are committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of all pupils.
• Ensure equal opportunities for all.
• Develop a culture and environment in which pupils thrive and to drive innovation.
• Drive up standards, promote life-long learning and continually improve outcomes for all.
• Lead and contribute to an ethos in the school where well-being and respect are at the core and each learner is valued and nurtured to develop personally and educationally.
• Ensure the effective operation of school self-evaluation systems as appropriate, and produce reports as required.
• Identify and take appropriate action arising from evaluation, setting deadlines and reviewing progress on actions taken.

Strategic direction and development

• Operate within the context of the school’s aims and policies, as a Senior Leader; be accountable for the development, implementation and review of policies, plans, targets and practices within their respective schools. These are defined in a summary of responsibilities. Members of the Leadership Team are expected to have the knowledge, skills and expertise to provide the guidance and direction to support teams to drive improvement.

Leading and managing staff and others

• Be accountable for providing staff with support, challenge, information and development necessary to sustain motivation and secure improvement in delivery.
• Develop and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others.
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with learners, parents and colleagues.
• Adhere to school policies and procedures ensuring that these are regularly communicated to staff and learners so that they are clear about their responsibilities.
• Regularly review own practice, set personal targets and take responsibility for own development.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day line management of all school staff.
• Lead in the recruitment, deployment, motivation, development and performance management of staff, making the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
• Encourage all staff to be continually active in their personal and continuous professional development.
• Lead staff in developmental activities and evaluate outcomes.
• Ensure parents and carers are kept well informed about the school and its curriculum, its targets, learner progress and attainment and their part in school life and their child’s progress.

Other

• The duties and responsibilities of the post will be subject to those detailed in the school contract issued to all staff.
• This Job Description does not define in detail all the duties/responsibilities of the post. It will be reviewed at least once a year as part of the performance management process and may be subject to modification or amendment after consultation.
• Staffs’ individual priorities for each academic year will be identified through the school SDP plans and wider review of the school. It is the responsibility of each individual member of staff to meet the agreed targets within the context of the school’s improvement plan.
• Priorities for each academic year will be identified through the school’s development plan. It is the responsibility of the Headteacher to ensure plans are implemented, monitored and reviewed and for individuals to meet the targets set.

Working hours and conditions

As Headteacher of The Black Country Alternative Provision you would be given holidays in line with the school calendar, no holiday time will be allowed during the school open periods.

Extra CPD Opportunities

• There is a lot of potential surrounding The Black Country Alternative Provision and wider YES Trust with potential extra opportunities and expansion of the job and role. This development would be further discussed after an appointment with the Director of Education

The successful candidate would be expected to maintain a well-organised, creative, safe and friendly environment for living and learning and hence enhance the ethos of the school. Candidates are asked to address as many of the person specifications as possible in their application.

What the school offers its staff

Benefits

• A teaching day that ends at 14.30
• Small class sizes
• Fantastic classroom support
• Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications.
• Specialist training where required
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible and supportive approach to work
• Free lunch at school
• Free parking (including charging stations on most sites)
• Nursery benefits
• Education Mutual –private health support- access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help-line, prescription service whenever you need it
• Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Flexible Working

We recognise that attracting and retaining the highest quality candidates means offering a flexible working environment. We consider a variety of flexible arrangements, including part-time roles, job-sharing, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid opportunities where appropriate. By adopting a flexible approach, we empower our staff to bring their best selves to work every day, fostering creativity, commitment, and resilience. Our teams remain diverse, motivated, and aligned with our vision of transforming children's lives through world-changing education. We believe that by investing in the wellbeing and professional fulfilment of our staff, we are also investing in the futures of the communities we serve.

Candidates are encouraged to discuss flexible working from recruitment onwards, in line with the statutory "day one right" principle, and ensuring equal opportunities for all groups of prospective employees

Further details about the role

Essential Criteria

Qualified Teacher Status

Successful senior leader experience

Experience of working with SEMH students

Ability to provide clear educational vision and direction and lead by example

Ability to formulate aims, polices, plans and monitor, evaluate and review the impact of these

Evidence of introducing effective strategies for improvement

Knowledge of current educational developments

Ability to lead, manage and motivate the whole school community

Ability to plan, allocate, delegate, support and evaluate work undertaken by groups, teams and individuals

Successful Experience of leading in-service training for staff

Ability to consult and negotiate effectively with different stakeholders involved with the school, including students

Demonstrable experience of raising standards

Ability to collect, analyse and use data on students’ progress and performance to raise standards, using appropriate systems including ICT

Ability to set and achieve aspirational targets for the Trust, school, staff and students

Understand the principle of effective learning and teaching and the ability to promote our culture and learning throughout school

Understanding of the principles of how to engage children with SEN through an individualised curriculum

Successful experience of reviewing and developing a curriculum

Understanding of the role and impact of assessment in children’s learning

Successful experience of promoting the personal, social, moral, cultural and spiritual developments of students

Successful experience of monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality of teaching.

Ability to create and maintain an environment which promotes good behaviour, respect and celebrates success.

Understanding of the factors which create barriers to learning

Successful experience of creating and maintaining effective partnerships with parents and the community, to enhance student learning

Ability to manage, monitor and review the use of resources, ensuring best value

Experience of recruiting, selecting and deploying staff

Ability to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships with children and young people

Experience of working with challenging behaviour

Appropriate use of authority and ability to maintain high standards

Ability to manage time well and work under pressure to deadlines.

Effective ICT skills

Effective interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; both written and oral.

Desired Criteria

• NPQH or further professional qualification
• Experience of leading SEMH settings or initiatives
• Knowledge of statutory requirements
• Ability to interpret, monitor and manage a budget
• Experience of recruiting, selecting and deploying staff

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

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About The Kairos Academy (KS4)

• School type: Academy, ages 14 to 16
• School size: No information available
• Age range: 14 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Kairos Academy (KS4) website
• Email address: j.crouch@theyestrust.org
• Phone number: 01260 490042
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/midpoint-centre-key-stage-4-pru-wolverhampton

Arranging a visit to The Kairos Academy (KS4)

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email j.crouch@theyestrust.org.

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