Job Title: Headteacher
Location: Riseley Green School, Riseley, Reading, Berkshire RG7 1QF
Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to lead Riseley Green School as our new Headteacher, shaping the future of a specialist school where every decision, every innovation and every success changes the lives of children and young people with additional needs.
We're looking for an inspirational, ambitious and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding education, building high-performing teams and creating an environment where pupils and staff can flourish.
As Headteacher, you'll have the autonomy to drive school improvement while benefiting from the support, expertise and investment of Outcomes First Group—one of the UK's leading providers of specialist education.
If you're ready to lead with vision, inspire others and leave a lasting legacy, we'd love to hear from you.
What you will be doing
Provide strategic leadership, setting a clear vision that inspires excellence across every aspect of school life.
Lead teaching, learning and curriculum development to ensure outstanding outcomes for every pupil.
Drive continuous school improvement through effective self-evaluation, quality assurance and ambitious improvement planning.
Create a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where pupils and colleagues can thrive.
Champion safeguarding, ensuring the highest standards of child protection, wellbeing and regulatory compliance.
Recruit, develop and inspire a talented team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous professional development.
Lead the effective management of school operations, budgets, resources and occupancy to ensure long-term sustainability.
Build strong relationships with families, local authorities, external professionals and Outcomes First Group colleagues to deliver exceptional outcomes for every child.
About You
We're looking for a leader who is:
Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a degree and the NPQH.
An experienced senior leader with a successful track record of school improvement and raising standards.
Passionate about delivering outstanding education for children and young people with additional needs.
An inspirational leader who motivates, develops and empowers others to achieve their very best.
Highly knowledgeable in safeguarding, curriculum leadership, Ofsted and DfE requirements.
A strategic thinker with strong operational, financial and organisational leadership skills.
An exceptional communicator who builds trusted relationships with pupils, families, colleagues and external partners.
Committed to creating an inclusive culture where every pupil and colleague feels valued, supported and able to succeed.
About Us
Riseley Green School is an independent specialist school near Reading, Berkshire, for autistic young people aged 4–16, with a capacity of 60 pupils.
We provide a nurturing, structured environment tailored to each child’s needs, fostering academic, social, and emotional growth. Small classes, high staff-to-pupil ratios, and personalised programmes ensure every pupil can thrive and reach their full potential. Our dedicated team works closely with families to support wellbeing, independence, and the development of essential life skills.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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Salary description
£85000.00 - £85000.00 per year