SEMH Assistant Head

Are you a compassionate, resilient, and visionary school leader ready to make a profound impact in the lives of children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs? Prospero Teaching is seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join a dedicated SEMH school in Southampton a setting where every day brings purpose, challenge, and the chance to change a child’s future.

About the Role
As Assistant Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the culture, direction, and outcomes of a specialist SEMH provision. Working closely with the Headteacher and wider SLT, you will lead with empathy, clarity, and high expectations ensuring that every pupil receives the personalised support, stability, and encouragement they deserve.

This is a role for a leader who thrives on connection, creativity, and restorative practice. Someone who understands that behaviour is communication, that relationships drive progress, and that the right environment can transform a child’s trajectory.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading on whole behaviour, wellbeing, and inclusion strategies
• Supporting staff through coaching, modelling, and reflective practice
• Driving high teaching and learning across the school
• Working closely with families, external agencies, and multidisciplinary teams
• Contributing to strategic planning, safeguarding, and school improvement
• Championing a trauma-relational approach to education

What We’re Looking For

• Proven SLT experience within an SEMH setting essential
• A leader who is calm, emotionally intelligent, and solutions
• Strong understanding of trauma-practice and behaviour support
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff teams
• Commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and inspirational environment
• A reflective practitioner who leads with integrity and compassion

What’s on Offer

• Salary on MPS/UPS, dependent on experience
• A supportive, forward leadership team
• Opportunities for professional growth and strategic influence
• A role where your impact is immediate, visible, and deeply meaningful

If you are driven by purpose and ready to lead with heart as well as expertise, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to join Prospero Teaching and help shape a school where every child is seen, valued, and supported to thrive.

Proud to be listed in the Times as one of ‘The Best Companies To Work For’, Prospero Teaching is an innovative and forward-thinking recruitment agency. With over two decades of experience, our education consultants work hard to find you the most suitable role, from a wide range of teaching jobs across the UK, in thousands of excellent schools, academies, and nurseries. We are an APSCO-audited education agency, and our awards for excellence demonstrate our commitment to high-quality service and best practice.