Alternative Provision Lead

The Role

We are seeking an innovative, highly compassionate, and child-centered leader to lead our primary provision.

As our Head of Provision, you will drive our progressive educational vision. You will create a therapeutic, play-informed environment where young children feel secure, heard, and valued. You will manage a dynamic team of teachers, nurture assistants, and specialists, while working closely with families, primary schools, and local agencies to build bright futures for our children.

Key Responsibilities

Progressive & Nurturing Leadership: Model and champion a trauma-informed, relational, and nurture-based culture tailored specifically to early childhood development.

Child-Centered Curriculum: Oversee a creative, flexible primary curriculum that integrates core literacy and numeracy with experiential learning, forest school/outdoor play, and therapeutic interventions.

Early Intervention & Relational Practice: Lead on relational behavior approaches, prioritizing emotional regulation, restorative practices, and positive behavior support over traditional discipline.

Safeguarding & Pupil Welfare: Act as or oversee the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), maintaining rigorous safeguarding standards tailored to vulnerable young children.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partner effectively with parents/carers, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and local authority SEND teams.

Team Development: Lead, coach, and support staff with empathy, ensuring regular reflective practice and high-quality training in SEMH, trauma, and primary pedagogy.

About You

You are a warm, resilient primary specialist and compassionate leader who understands that for young children, "behavior is communication." You thrive in a creative, child-led setting and are passionate about rethinking early years and primary inclusion.

Essential Criteria:

Proven leadership experience within a primary, SEMH, Special School, or Alternative Provision setting.

Deep understanding of child development, Nurture Group principles, trauma-informed practice, and neurodiversity in primary-aged children.

Track record of working compassionately with hard-to-reach families and external agencies.

Strong operational management skills, with an open, collaborative approach to team leadership.

What We Offer

The rare opportunity to shape a truly progressive, high-impact primary provision.

A dedicated, supportive team and executive leadership committed to child-centered education.

Comprehensive CPD, clinical supervision, and wellbeing support.

Competitive salary and pension scheme

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