Headteacher - PRU

Headteacher PRU
Location: Waltham Forest, East London
Role: Headteacher
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Start: ASAP / January 2027
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Are you an experienced Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or senior PRU/AP leader looking for an opportunity to lead a specialist provision and make a lasting difference to young people who have faced barriers to mainstream education?
Ribbons & Reeves are working with a Pupil Referral Unit in Waltham Forest that is looking for an ambitious, resilient and pupil-centred Headteacher to lead the provision and its staff team.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands that successful PRU education requires strong relationships, clear boundaries, high expectations, excellent safeguarding and a consistent approach to behaviour and engagement .
The role involves:

• Providing strategic and day-to-day leadership across the PRU
• Setting a clear vision and culture centred around pupil progress and positive outcomes
• Leading, supporting and developing a committed teaching and support team
• Maintaining high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and safeguarding
• Supporting pupils with SEMH, behavioural and complex needs
• Developing effective strategies to improve attendance, engagement and participation
• Overseeing personalised pathways and supporting successful reintegration where appropriate
• Working closely with parents, carers, schools, local authorities and external agencies
• Monitoring pupil progress, behaviour and outcomes
• Leading school improvement and ensuring effective policies and procedures are embedded
• Developing staff through coaching, support and performance management
• Ensuring the provision meets all safeguarding and statutory responsibilities

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant leadership experience within PRU, AP, SEMH or specialist education
• Has experience leading and developing teaching and support teams
• Understands the challenges faced by young people who have struggled in mainstream education
• Has strong knowledge of behaviour, safeguarding, SEMH and pastoral support
• Can provide calm, consistent and visible leadership
• Builds positive relationships while maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries
• Has high expectations for pupils and staff
• Is confident working with families, local authorities and multi-agency professionals
• Can demonstrate a commitment to improving attendance, engagement and educational outcomes
• Holds QTS and relevant senior leadership experience

What the school offers:

• The opportunity to lead an established PRU in Waltham Forest
• A committed and experienced staff team
• Genuine scope to shape the culture and future direction of the provision
• The opportunity to influence outcomes for young people who need a different approach to education
• A supportive professional environment
• A rewarding senior leadership position within alternative provision

If you are an experienced Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, PRU leader or senior AP professional looking for your next challenge, we'd be keen to speak with you.
Apply now through Ribbons & Reeves for a confidential conversation about the opportunity.

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