High Point Academy
Headteacher Vacancy
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in leading High Point Academy. As CEO of Forward Education Trust (FET), I am proud to introduce a school that has quickly developed its own distinct identity, rooted in ambition, inclusion, and a deep commitment to helping every child thrive.
High Point opened in 2021, and I have been fortunate to witness its journey from its very first cohort to the vibrant, confident, and values‑driven school it is today. It is a place defined by relationships, optimism, and purposeful support — where pupils who may have struggled to belong elsewhere discover that they are seen, valued and understood. This is captured in our core ACE values: Ambitious Aspirations, Challenging the Impossible, and Encouraging Independence. These principles are lived out daily in classrooms, life‑skills sessions, Forest School, creative arts, college partnerships, and through a curriculum designed to unlock both confidence and capability.
Recent newsletters which you can see on the school website, along with information about High Point’s curriculum show clearly the culture you will inherit as the new Headteacher: pupils telling their stories with pride, staff celebrating progress with joy, and a community that embraces both the extraordinary and the everyday. Whether it is Makaton performances on stage, Christmas Fayre enterprise projects, visits to colleges, immersive life‑skills experiences, or STEM learning grounded in practical exploration, the spirit of High Point is unmistakable — warm, energetic, and aspirational.
We know that many of our children arrive having experienced previous school placements that didn’t meet their needs. Our aim is to provide what they may not have had before: belonging, time, safety, and trust. High Point’s provision is carefully structured to help pupils decompress, grow in independence, and feel secure enough to take risks in their learning. Staff invest heavily in developing strong relationships, and pupils’ confidence can be clearly seen in their willingness to perform, participate, and persevere across subjects and activities throughout the year.
Our new Headteacher will play a crucial role in the next phase of this development. High Point has strong foundations — a dedicated staff team, well‑designed learning environments, and a curriculum that combines academic rigour with a rich cultural and life‑skills offer. The recent introduction of additional wellbeing initiatives, careers opportunities, and specialist pathways shows a school moving forward with clarity and purpose. The festive period demonstrated this beautifully, with pupils celebrated through ACE Awards, community events, performances, and enrichment that brought the school together with pride.
At Trust level, you will be supported by experienced leaders including our Director of Education, Director of Governance & Development, and Director of Finance & Operations. FET is a trust that values local identity within a shared framework of high expectations. Our schools collaborate, challenge one another, and learn together — no school is ever left to work in isolation. We are committed to building the professional capacity of staff, nurturing talent, and ensuring every leader is empowered to bring creativity and innovation to their school.
We are proud of where High Point Academy is today — and excited for where it can go next. This is a unique opportunity for a leader who is passionate about inclusion, ambitious for SEND learners, and ready to shape a school that sits at the heart of its community.
High Point Academy has enormous potential, and we are seeking a Headteacher who can help us realise it fully, for the benefit of our pupils, families, and staff. If you feel aligned with our values and vision, I would welcome a conversation. This can be arranged by contacting Martin Blair at Hays Leadership on 07908268091 or at martin.blair@hays.com. Martin is also available for a confidential discussion about the role, the arrange a visit to the school or to advise on the process for making an application.
I look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how your leadership could shape the next chapter for High Point Academy.
Simon Dilkes
Chief Executive Officer
Forward Education Trust
About High Point Academy
High Point Academy is an 11-16 Special day School situated in Wednesbury. The academy opened in 2021 and has grown to have 110 on roll. All pupils currently on role have a statement of special educational needs or an Education Health and Care Plan along with a diagnosis of ASC. The school provides places for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and associated Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
In our endeavour to meet their wide ranging educational and social needs, we provide an appropriate curriculum, which encompasses and extends the National Curriculum. Our curriculum builds upon skills taught within the Primary sector and supports pupils to progress onto further education. At High Point our curriculum prepares pupils for life beyond High Point by promoting independence.
The school was judged to be Good by Ofsted in 2024 with outstanding judgements for ‘behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘personal development’. In 2025 the school was delighted and incredibly proud to win ’Secondary School of the Year’ at The Education Awards a prestigious national accolade recognising excellence across secondary education, not just within special schools.
About the Trust
The Trust is an established and developing MAT of 6 special schools. The schools are located in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell and cover the widest spectrum of Special Educational Needs students and work across all age ranges. It has a talented and committed staff group who strive to provide a safe and supportive environment to care for and educate the children.
The Trust believes that its staff and leaders are its most important asset and that valuing them and utilising their many talents will deliver the best experiences for pupils. You will join supportive and well-established collaborative networks, where colleagues support each other and we learn from each other. The Trust will have a real interest in your future and will be keen to explore ways that you can develop personally and professionally.
The role of Headteacher
Provide professional leadership, strategic direction and management for High Point Academy, ensuring outstanding education, care and outcomes for autistic learners aged 11–16. Lead a culture of high expectations, equity and inclusion; secure pupils’ safety and wellbeing; and advance the Trust’s vision and values. Act in accordance with the National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers (2015).
- Be accountable for the pastoral welfare of all pupils, including behaviour, relationships, attendance, safeguarding and personal/social development.
- Drive continuous improvement in standards, curriculum, teaching, assessment and wider provision.
- Exercise sound, sustainable financial management within delegated authorities and ensure statutory compliance (with particular reference to the SEND Code of Practice).
- Work collaboratively with the Trust, Executive Leaders and those in local governance representing the school internally and externally.
Key Document
Download Job Description and Person SpecificationSalary
L21–L27 (starting salary negotiable, dependent on experience)
Timeline
Interviews: 16th and 17th April
Closing date: 9am, Monday 23rd March
Start date: September 2026
Visits and How to Apply
Contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership for a confidential discussion, to arrange a visit to the school or to discuss making an application. Visits to school are warmly encouraged, when you will meet the school team and have an informal discussion with our CEO.
Safeguarding
FET and High Point Academy value equality and diversity and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practises including satisfactory references and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Martin Blair
Hays Leadership Appointments
Tel: 07908268091
Email: martin.blair@hays.com
