Headteacher – New Specialist SEN School
Location: South East England — easily commutable within the Thames Valley
Salary: Up to £95,000 per annum (dependent on experience; not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Hours: Monday–Friday
Start: ASAP
UK Applicants Only — this role does not offer sponsorship
Lead a school that transforms lives.
The Opportunity
We are opening a brand-new specialist SEN school for children and young people with complex needs and are seeking an exceptional Headteacher to lead its development. This is an opportunity to create a school with a strong therapeutic ethos, where wellbeing, safety and progress are central to everything we do.
You will have the chance to:
- Establish the vision and culture of a new specialist school
- Embed therapeutic, trauma-informed practice from day one
- Lead and inspire a talented multidisciplinary team
- Create an environment where pupils can feel safe, supported and able to succeed
If you are driven by impact and motivated by the opportunity to create something truly meaningful, this role offers the chance to leave a lasting legacy.
What You’ll Do
- Provide strategic leadership and clear vision for a specialist SEMH/Autism school
- Develop a nurturing, ambitious and trauma-informed environment
- Lead operational delivery, safeguarding, quality and compliance
- Recruit, inspire and develop a highly skilled staff team
- Work closely with therapy colleagues to deliver personalised, pupil-centred pathways
- Build strong relationships with parents, carers and local authorities
About You
We’re looking for a leader who brings heart as much as expertise:
- Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head within SEN, SEMH, specialist or alternative provision
- Deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and behaviour as communication
- Clear knowledge of Ofsted frameworks for specialist settings
- Skilled in budget, resource and change management
- Committed to inclusive education and aspirational outcomes for every pupil
- Qualified teacher (QTS/QTLS) with significant SEN leadership experience
- Full UK Driving Licence
If you want to make a difference where it matters most — and help shape the future of a brand-new school — we would love to hear from you.