Business Partner - Runcorn

Business Partner Opportunity - Alternative Provision (AP)

Location: Runcorn

Salary: From £80,000 + long-term value creation opportunity

Organisation: EdStart Specialist Education

Have you ever thought about opening your own Alternative Provision?

EdStart Specialist Education is offering a genuine business partnership opportunity for an entrepreneurial education leader who wants to make a real difference and build something meaningful in the process.

This opportunity is based in the Runcorn area and is ideal for someone who understands the AP/SEN landscape and is ready to move beyond traditional employed roles.

The Opportunity

We are looking to partner with an individual who wants to establish and grow a new Alternative Provision under the EdStart umbrella.

This is not a franchise or consultancy arrangement. It is a long-term value creation opportunity, where you would play a central role in shaping, leading, and growing a provision that meets genuine local need.

You would be supported by EdStart's existing infrastructure, governance, compliance, and strategic leadership, while retaining real autonomy to build a provision that works.

Who This Would Suit

This opportunity may be right for you if you are:

• An experienced AP, SEN, or SEMH leader
• Entrepreneurial and motivated by impact as well as growth
• Someone who has thought "I could do this better myself"
• Comfortable taking responsibility and leading from the front
• Interested in long-term value creation, not short-term wins

You may currently be a Headteacher, Deputy Head, AP Lead, SEN leader, or senior education professional ready to take the next step.

What EdStart Brings

• An established and respected AP and SEN provider
• Central support with compliance, safeguarding, finance, HR, and governance
• Strategic input from experienced Executive Leaders
• Credibility with commissioners, local authorities, and partners
• A shared values-led approach built on Progression, Humanity, Togetherness, and Compassion

What You Bring

• Strong understanding of Alternative Provision and learner need
• Leadership capability and the confidence to build and grow provision
• Commitment to quality, safeguarding, and relational practice
• Entrepreneurial drive and accountability

The Bigger Picture

This is a legitimate opportunity to create real value within a growing organisation.
There is a clear pathway to shared success, structured around growth and long-term sustainability.

Details around profit participation or equity-based incentives (including EMI) would be discussed at a later stage with genuinely interested candidates.

Next Steps

If this sounds of interest, please get in touch and share a CV or a short overview of your background. From there, we can arrange a conversation to explore things further. Please contact