At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic school focused on autism education and support for children and young people.
- Company: Forest Bridge School, a respected special free school in Maidenhead.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real difference in students' lives and career growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment committed to innovation and high expectations.
- Why this job: Inspire and shape the future of autism education with a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in SEND/autism provision and strong educational strategies.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 £ per year.
Forest Bridge School, a highly regarded special free school in Maidenhead, Berkshire, for 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 Role
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 020 7820 7308 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. Forest Bridge School 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 - Forest Bridge School (Maidenhead) in Reading employer: Harris Hill Independent Schools
Forest Bridge School is an exceptional employer, dedicated to providing a supportive and innovative environment for both staff and students. With a strong focus on professional development and collaboration, the school fosters a culture of ambition and accountability, ensuring that every team member can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children with autism. Located in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the school offers unique opportunities to lead a multidisciplinary team and shape the future of special education, all while upholding high standards of wellbeing and safeguarding.
Contact Details:
Harris Hill Independent Schools Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher - Forest Bridge School (Maidenhead) in Reading
✨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 the role and even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Forest Bridge School's ethos and achievements. Show us you understand their integrated approach and how you can contribute to their mission of transforming lives through education.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams and driven school improvement. 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, it shows us you’re serious about joining the Forest Bridge family.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher - Forest Bridge School (Maidenhead) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the role of Headteacher at Forest Bridge School. Highlight your leadership experience in SEND/autism provision and any relevant qualifications to stand out.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for education and how your vision aligns with our motto, 'Through Adversity to the Stars'. Be sure to mention your experience with multidisciplinary teams and strategic leadership.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven excellence in teaching and learning or improved pupil outcomes in previous roles. Numbers and data can really make your application pop!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Hill Independent Schools
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the school’s approach to autism education, especially their use of ABA and evidence-based practices. Familiarise yourself with their motto, 'Through Adversity to the Stars', and think about how your leadership style aligns with this vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your extensive senior leadership experience within SEND/autism provisions. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate how you've led multidisciplinary teams and driven school improvement, as these will be key to showcasing your fit for the role.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Express your passion for creating a child-centred environment and how you plan to foster collaboration across education, therapies, and administration. Think about how you can contribute to the school's next phase of development and impact, and be ready to share your ideas.
✨Prepare for Data Discussions
Since data-driven assessment is crucial for this role, brush up on your experience with evaluative practices. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to support improvement in previous roles, and how you would apply this at Forest Bridge School.
