At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a department in a specialist autism provision and support staff development.
- Company: Respected SEN school with a child-centred approach and strong therapeutic ethos.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive CPD opportunities, and commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with excellent staffing ratios and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on learners' lives while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: QTS or equivalent, experience in SEND, and strong knowledge of autism.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
School Wider SLT - AUTISM SPECIALIST PROVISION Specialist SEN School | Permanent | Full Time | September 2026 Start
Salary: MPS/UPS SEN Allowance TLR (40k-60k)
Are you an experienced SEN Teacher ready to take the next step into leadership? Do you thrive in autism specialist environments where relationships, communication and emotional regulation are at the heart of successful learning? Would you like to join a highly respected specialist school where you can influence practice beyond your own classroom and help shape the development of both learners and staff?
We are supporting a large specialist SEN school seeking an outstanding SEND practitioner to join their leadership team as a Wider Leader from September 2026. This is a key leadership position within an established and expanding autism provision supporting learners aged 11-19 with a range of additional needs. The school is recognised for its child-centred approach, strong therapeutic ethos and commitment to delivering highly personalised learning pathways that enable pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
The successful candidate will combine excellent classroom practice with strong leadership skills, supporting colleagues to deliver consistently high-quality teaching and learning across a designated department.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and managing a department within a specialist autism provision
- Maintaining a teaching commitment whilst modelling outstanding classroom practice
- Supporting, coaching and developing teachers and support staff
- Contributing to whole-school improvement initiatives and strategic development
- Line managing and appraising members of staff
- Supporting pupil transitions, admissions and annual review processes
- Promoting consistent approaches to communication, regulation and learning across teams
- Working collaboratively with therapists, wellbeing professionals and senior leaders
The ideal candidate will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification
- Experience working within specialist SEND environments
- Strong knowledge of autism and neurodiversity
- A commitment to neuroaffirming and relationship-based practice
- Experience supporting or leading colleagues to improve outcomes for learners
- Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills
- The ability to maintain high expectations whilst building positive and supportive relationships
In return, you will join a highly collaborative specialist setting with excellent staffing ratios, extensive CPD opportunities and a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious SEN practitioner looking to progress into leadership or for an existing middle leader seeking a new challenge within a well-established specialist school.
For further information and a confidential discussion, please apply today.
Wider Leader - Autism Specialist Provision in London employer: Kpi Education
Join a highly respected specialist SEN school that prioritises a child-centred approach and strong therapeutic ethos, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about autism education. With a commitment to staff wellbeing, extensive CPD opportunities, and a collaborative work culture, this role offers the chance to influence practice and support both learners and colleagues in a meaningful way. If you are an experienced SEN Teacher ready to step into leadership, this is the perfect environment to grow and make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Wider Leader - Autism Specialist Provision in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, especially those involved in SEN. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet, and a personal recommendation can go a long way.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s ethos and values. Since this role is all about relationships and communication, think of examples from your experience that showcase your skills in these areas.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership potential! Even if you’re not in a formal leadership role yet, highlight instances where you've supported or coached colleagues. This will demonstrate your readiness for the Wider Leader position.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Wider Leader - Autism Specialist Provision in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in autism specialist environments. We want to see how your skills align with our child-centred approach and commitment to personalised learning pathways.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Wider Leader, you'll be supporting and developing colleagues. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've positively influenced teaching practices in the past.
Highlight Your Communication Style:Effective communication is key in our environment. Be sure to illustrate your ability to build positive relationships and support emotional regulation in your written application. We love seeing examples of this!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kpi Education
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of autism and neurodiversity. Familiarise yourself with the latest practices in SEND education, especially those that align with the school's child-centred approach. This will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or supported colleagues in the past. Think about specific instances where your leadership made a difference in the classroom or within a team setting. This will demonstrate your readiness for the Wider Leader position.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Since relationships are key in this role, be ready to discuss how you build rapport with students, staff, and parents. Share strategies you've used to foster positive communication and emotional regulation, as these are crucial in an autism specialist environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the school's approach to teaching and learning, as well as their vision for the autism provision. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the school is the right fit for you.
