Head of School - OMG Education Kent Site
Kent, UK
Job Type
Full academic year (52 Weeks)
Workspace
Office
Schedule
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Pay
Grade 7 - £45,000 - £60,000 FTW (OMG Education pay structure), with scope for progression.
OMG Education is an independent special school (URN 150750, rated Good by Ofsted) for pupils aged 11-18 who hold an EHCP or have struggled in mainstream education. The curriculum is built around creativity and music technology, underpinned by the ethos that every young life matters.
About the Role
To provide the operational and academic leadership of the school, ensuring a safe, trauma-informed environment for pupils with SEMH and complex needs, high-quality teaching and provision, and day-to-day compliance and inspection readiness. To act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Location: Due to rapid expansion, we have three vacancies available across our OMG Education sites: St. James House, Gravesend or Wolverhampton (site to be confirmed). Candidates to specify location on application.
Reporting to: Executive Headteacher
Responsible for: Direct line management responsibility for Head of Teaching and Learning; Head of Assessment and Intervention; Engagement and Personal Development (Behaviour) Lead; Family and Welfare Engagement Lead and, through them, the on site staff team
Safeguarding: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), supported by Deputy DSLs (Engagement and Personal Development Lead; Family and Welfare Engagement Lead)
Job Description and Person Specification
Safeguarding statement
OMG Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Head must maintain an enhanced DBS check and ensure that safeguarding remains the highest priority in all aspects of the school's work.
Mandatory Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement .pdf
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and day to day management
Lead the day to day operational and academic management of the school.
Manage, support and review the daily performance of on site staff, line managing the Head of Teaching & Learning, the Head of Assessment & Intervention, Engagement & Personal Development (Behaviour) Lead; Family & Welfare Engagement Lead
Oversee the daily delivery of adapted, therapeutic and EHCP aligned learning across the school.
Act as the main point of contact for families, building trust and strong working relationships.
Manage local budgets, health and safety, and day to day operational systems.
Maintain continuous readiness for inspection against the Ofsted and Independent School Standards.
Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare
Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, supported by the Deputy DSLs.
Maintain a safe, trauma informed environment tailored to SEN needs including SEMH, Autism and complex needs.
Ensure robust protection, statutory compliance and accurate record keeping for vulnerable pupils, using the school's safeguarding system (MyConcern).
Lead the immediate response to challenging behaviour and medical emergencies, ensuring the safety of pupils and staff.
Teaching, Learning and Provision
Ensure teaching is high quality, highly differentiated and accessible for pupils with SEMH and complex needs.
Hold middle leaders to account for the quality of education, intervention and provision.
Ensure provision is aligned to pupils' EHCP outcomes, where relevant and Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes.
Use assessment and pupil data to drive academic progress and personal development.
Compliance and Operations
Ensure the school meets Ofsted, the Independent School Standards and other relevant legislation, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, the SEND Code of Practice (0 25), the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010.
Maintain accurate records on the school's MIS (Arbor, MyConcern, Provision Map) and other systems used.
Contribute to self evaluation and school improvement planning.
Ensure effective management of site health, safety and security.
Working across OMG Education
Work as part of the OMG Education senior leadership team under the Executive Headteacher.
Work with other Heads of School and the central team to share expertise, policies, curriculum and resources across sites.
Contribute to the strategic development and growth of the school and wider group.
Person Specification
Criteria
Qualification and Training
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training or willingness to complete it on appointment.
- National Professional Qualification (e.g., NPQSL or equivalent).
- NPQH or an equivalent senior leadership qualification or working towards one.
Experience
- Proven experience of leading and line managing teams.
- Experience of safeguarding leadership as a DSL or Deputy DSL.
- Experience of working with pupils who have EHCPs and complex needs.
- Experience of budget, health and safety, and operational management.
- Experience of inspection readiness (Ofsted / Independent School Standards).
- Significant leadership experience in a SEND, SEMH or alternative provision setting.
Knowledge and Understanding
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding (Keeping Children Safe in Education) and statutory duties.
- Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice (0 25) and EHCP processes.
- Understanding of trauma informed and low arousal practice for SEND, in particular Autism, SEMH and complex needs.
- Knowledge of the Independent School Standards and relevant legislation (Children and Families Act 2014, Equality Act 2010).
- Ability to lead high quality, adaptive teaching for neurodivergent learners.
- Strong organisational and operational management skills.
- Proficiency with a school MIS (the school uses Arbor) and Google Workspace.
- Knowledge of Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) and post 16 pathways.
Personal Attributes
- A genuine, child centred, relational commitment to pupils with SEND.
- Calm and reassuring under pressure, able to lead in a crisis.
- A visible, approachable leader who builds trust with families and staff.
- Reflective, open to feedback and committed to professional growth.
- Resilient, with high professional integrity and discretion.
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. This job description is current at the date shown but may be changed by the Executive Headteacher, in consultation with the postholder, to reflect or anticipate changes in the role.
OMG Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, including a barred list check, and references.
What we Offer
Career Development : Gain invaluable hands on experience for careers in education, therapy, youth work, or social services.
Training Opportunities : Benefit from ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) to enhance your skills.
Inclusion & Impact : Make a real difference in the lives of young people who need your support the most.
OMG Education Independent School is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Join a team that is making a real difference in the lives of young people.
