Trust Leader of Specialist and Alternative Provision
Closing in 33 days (20 April 2026 11:59 pm)
Job details
Salary: L13 - L20
Employer: Blackdown Education Partnership
Location: Taunton, Somerset,
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full time
Closing date: 20 April 2026 11:59 pm
About the job
Key information
- Full time, Permanent
- Leadership scale 13 – 20 (£69,596 – £82,654)
- Start Date: September 2026
- (Salary negotiable dependent on skills and experience)
The Blackdown Education Partnership is a high performing trust created by the merger of two founding trusts which shared some important similar values. Put simply, we believe that collaboration, partnership working and sharing our best ideas will enable us to enact our core values of:
- Equity
- Opportunity
- Community
and provide educational experiences and opportunities that enable our pupils to thrive and achieve in our school.
What will I be doing?
We are currently reimagining our strategic plan which will shape the work of the Trust over the next 2-5 years. This will focus on 4 key strategic drivers to deliver an ambitious vision for the next stage of our improvement journey. One of these is an intentional approach to inclusion and equity.
This post, which is new to the Trust is a key part of this strategy. We are in the process of developing specialist provision at 2 of our secondaries and we have on site AP in a number of the other schools. We are aware that this will be an area of development over the coming months and years and are looking for an individual who can support our school leaders to develop high quality inclusive spaces that better meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable pupils.
Job Purpose
To support schools to develop and implement effective strategy and provision to pupils with SEMH needs and ensure that interventions are evidence informed, therapeutic and impactful.
What is in it for me?
Our schools are all characterised by a strong ethos, ambitious culture and compassionate environment which together drive success. We are lucky enough to employ brilliant people who share our vision, many of whom have started careers with us and stayed to progress these careers. We want people to join us who believe that, whatever their role, they can make a difference to the life chances of pupils. We are totally committed therefore to helping all our staff thrive and fulfil their professional ambitions. A large number of colleagues are currently undertaking leadership development training which ranges from the full suite of NPQs to some more bespoke leadership programmes run through our outstanding network of partners.
Supporting documents and information
If you are keen to find out more about the role, our CEO will be holding a series of information sessions over Teams where she will outline the key requirements of the post and be available to answer any questions. You can book into one of these slots by contacting Paula Gibson, contact details are available within the recruitment pack.
Times available are;
- Monday 23 March – 4.30 – 5.00pm
- Wednesday 25 March – 10.00 – 10.30am
- Tuesday 31 March – 1.30 – 2.00pm
We are looking for an individual who shares the same vision and values – if you believe that you have the skills, drive and vision to help us achieve our aims we would be delighted to receive your application.
Closing date: Monday 20 April 2026
Interviews: Thursday 23 April 2026 (first stage interviews – online)
Tuesday 28 April 2026 (second stage interviews – Orchard Grove Primary School)
