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- Tasks: Lead a school supporting children with communication difficulties and ensure their progress and wellbeing.
- Company: A dedicated school in Horley focused on inclusive education for children aged 6-11.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time permanent role, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work closely with other schools in the network.
- Why this job: Shape the future of young minds and lead a passionate team in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: QTS and NPQH qualifications with experience in leading teams and understanding SEND.
The predicted salary is between 71030 - 78215 £ per year.
Salary: £71,030 - £78,215 per year based on 40 hours per week.
Contract: Full time, permanent position.
Start date: September 2026.
School Staffing Solutions are working with a school in Horley who require a Head of School. You will take a leadership role in assisting the Principal to develop the school in accordance with its shared values and school development plans. The school supports pupils aged 6-11 with communication difficulties linked to Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
Key responsibilities:
- The day to day operational running of the school.
- Ensuring pupils are attending regularly and making progress.
- Maintaining the safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors.
- Capturing and presenting data as required.
- Ensuring compliance of all mandatory school standards.
- Maintaining a close link with the other Aurora Surrey schools/sites to ensure the ethos, culture, values and standards are developed to a similarly high level.
- Building a strong, resilient, skilled and positive staff team.
- Reporting to and liaising closely with the Principal and central teams.
Who we are looking for:
You will be a credible, values-driven leader with a successful track record at senior level within the education sector. You will bring strong experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and supporting children and young people with complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities.
You will also offer:
- QTS and NPQH qualifications.
- Strong understanding of SEND, safeguarding and relevant legislation.
- Proven ability to lead teams through change and improvement.
- Sound commercial and financial management skills.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Resilience, professionalism and a genuine commitment to inclusive education.
- Experience of leading across multiple sites is desirable but not essential.
How to Apply:
Get in touch with Amy for an application form and/or if you would simply like to learn more about the role! School Staffing Solutions are acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
As part of our safer recruitment procedures for senior leadership roles, we will endeavour to complete a range of safeguarding checks prior to interview where possible. These include references, online searches, a Prohibition from Teaching check and a Section 128 direction check.
Locations
Head of School in Horley, Surrey employer: Major Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Major Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of School in Horley, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with schools supporting children with complex needs. They might have insider info on opportunities or even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s ethos and values. Show us that you understand their mission and how your leadership style aligns with their goals. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience with SEND and leading teams through change.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Head of School, you'll need to build relationships with staff, parents, and pupils. Role-play common interview scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of School in Horley, Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of School role. Highlight your experience with multidisciplinary teams and your understanding of SEND, as these are key aspects we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style in action! Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams through change and improvement, especially in educational settings.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Major Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the school’s values and development plans. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by pupils with communication difficulties linked to Autism Spectrum Condition. This will show that you’re not just a leader, but someone who truly understands the environment you’ll be working in.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve driven change or improvement, especially in educational settings. Be ready to discuss your approach to building a resilient and skilled staff team.
✨Data is Key
Since capturing and presenting data is part of the role, brush up on how you’ve used data to inform decisions in previous positions. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance with mandatory standards and how you’ve used data to track pupil progress.
✨Communicate Effectively
Excellent communication skills are a must for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can build relationships with staff, parents, and external stakeholders, and be ready to share your strategies for influencing and engaging others.