At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a special school, providing strategic and inspirational leadership for pupils with autism.
- Company: A leading special free school in Maidenhead, known for innovation and high expectations.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of autism education.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to transforming lives through tailored education and support.
- Qualifications: QTS or equivalent, extensive senior leadership experience in SEND/autism provision.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 £ per year.
A leading special free school in Maidenhead, Berkshire, which caters to children and young people with a primary diagnosis of autism, is seeking a new Headteacher for January 2027 or earlier. This rare opportunity has arisen as the current Headteacher will be transitioning into a CEO role. The school delivers an integrated approach that combines ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis), evidence-based therapy, and tailored curriculum pathways to maximise pupil outcomes and preparation for adult life. The school’s motto is “Through Adversity to the Stars” and is recognised for innovation, high expectations, and transformational outcomes for children and young people with autism.
The Headteacher will provide strategic, operational, and inspirational leadership across all aspects of school life, ensuring the school continues to deliver outstanding education, therapeutic support, and life opportunities for pupils and families. Working closely with the CEO, executive and senior leaders, teachers, behaviour analysts, therapists, parents, and external partners, the successful candidate will champion excellence in autism education while shaping the school’s next phase of development and impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear, strategic, and inspirational leadership, ensuring the highest standards of education, safeguarding, wellbeing, and pupil outcomes.
- Lead and develop outstanding autism provision through an integrated model of education, evidence-informed practice, and applied behaviour analysis.
- Drive excellence in teaching, learning, communication, and therapeutic provision for pupils with complex and diverse needs.
- Lead, motivate, and develop a skilled multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of ambition, collaboration, accountability, and continuous professional growth.
- Foster a culture of unity and collaboration across education, ABA, therapies, and administration to ensure a cohesive, child-centered team around every student.
- Oversee school improvement, quality assurance, staffing, and operational management.
- Lead the senior leadership team to drive consistent practice, uphold high expectations, and promote strong staff wellbeing.
We are looking for a candidate who has:
- Essential QTS or equivalent.
- Extensive senior leadership experience within a SEND/autism provision.
- Comprehensive expertise in designing and delivering effective teaching, learning, and curriculum strategies tailored to pupils with autism.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams (education and therapies).
- Skilled in leading school improvement and raising standards.
- Proven experience in strategic workforce planning and leading effective staff development initiatives.
- A solid track record leading, motivating, and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Skilled in engaging with trustees and robust governance structures to support strategic leadership and accountability.
- Strong grasp of data-driven assessment and evaluative practice to support improvement.
- DSL training (or willingness to obtain).
- Background in budgeting, financial planning, and effective resource management.
- Strong alignment with the school’s vision of combining ABA, evidence-based practice, and personalised learning pathways.
- Experience working with governors and established governance frameworks.
- Ensure safeguarding remains rigorous and effective across all aspects of provision.
Desirable
- Experience in delivering or leading applied behaviour analysis provision.
- Specialist qualifications in autism/SEND.
- NPQH (or equivalent) or willingness to achieve.
- Demonstrated ability in managing growth, transformation, or system-level leadership.
If you are inspired by the opportunity of leading a thriving school which combines a multi-disciplinary approach and tailored programmes to help every pupil thrive, please forward your CV and covering letter to or by clicking the 'Apply' button. For a confidential discussion or candidate information pack, please contact Devra Farhi at for further details. Applications close Thursday, 25th June, at 9 am, with first interviews (online) on Tuesday, 30th June, and in-person second interviews commencing the week of 6th July. Harris Hill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and comply with all safeguarding requirements.
Headteacher in Compton employer: Harris Hill Independent Schools
As a leading special free school in Maidenhead, Berkshire, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to education for children with autism. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, ensuring that our staff are equipped to deliver outstanding educational and therapeutic support. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on transformational outcomes, we offer a unique opportunity for meaningful impact in the lives of our pupils and their families.
Contact Details:
Harris Hill Independent Schools Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher in Compton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with SEND and autism provisions. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s ethos and recent developments. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their mission of 'Through Adversity to the Stars' and how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved outcomes in previous roles. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher in Compton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience in SEND/autism provisions and any relevant qualifications to show us you’re the right fit for this role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about leading a school that focuses on autism education. Share your vision and how your experience aligns with our motto, 'Through Adversity to the Stars'.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills:We want to see how you’ve led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Provide examples of how you’ve motivated and developed staff, and how you’ve fostered collaboration across different areas of education and therapy.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Hill Independent Schools
✨Know the School's Vision
Before your interview, make sure you understand the school's motto and vision. Familiarise yourself with how they integrate ABA and evidence-based practices into their curriculum. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past leadership roles, especially in SEND or autism provisions. Highlight how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams and improved educational outcomes. This will show them that you have the experience needed to inspire and motivate staff effectively.
✨Discuss Data-Driven Strategies
Be ready to talk about how you've used data to drive school improvement and assess pupil outcomes. Share examples of how you've implemented changes based on data analysis, as this is crucial for the role. It shows you can make informed decisions that benefit the students.
✨Engage with Their Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of collaboration with parents, external partners, and governance structures. Prepare to discuss how you've engaged stakeholders in previous roles and how you plan to foster a culture of unity and collaboration at the school.
