Head of School in Hayes

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work.

Location: Baston House School, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7AB

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday–Friday

Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: September 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available.

About the Role

As Head of School, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the school delivers outstanding education, exceptional safeguarding standards and life-changing outcomes for every pupil. Working closely with the wider Options Autism and Outcomes First Group teams, you'll be responsible for creating an ambitious vision for the school, developing an exceptional staff team and ensuring the highest standards across all aspects of school life. You'll lead a school where therapeutic approaches, high-quality teaching and personalised learning combine to help pupils reach their full potential and prepare them for fulfilling futures.

What you will be doing:

• Provide inspirational leadership that promotes a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.
• Drive exceptional educational outcomes through an engaging, ambitious and inclusive curriculum.
• Ensure outstanding teaching, learning and assessment across the school.
• Lead on safeguarding, health and safety and pupil wellbeing, creating a safe and nurturing environment.
• Build strong partnerships with pupils, families, Local Authorities and external professionals.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing staff team through coaching, performance management and professional development.
• Oversee school improvement planning, self-evaluation and quality assurance.
• Ensure compliance with all DfE, Ofsted and Independent School Standards.
• Monitor school performance, attendance, behaviour and pupil progress, implementing effective improvement strategies where needed.
• Support the commercial success and sustainable growth of the school through effective resource and budget management.
• Champion a positive school culture where every member of the community feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.

What you will bring:

• Degree and QTS required.
• Significant senior leadership experience within education.
• A proven track record of improving educational outcomes and leading successful school improvement.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND, school leadership and statutory education requirements.
• Experience preparing for and leading successful Ofsted inspections.
• Exceptional people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire and develop teams.
• Strong financial and operational management experience.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding education and transforming the lives of children and young people.

About Us

Baston House School is an independent day specialist school in Bromley, Kent, supporting children and young people aged 5–19 with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and associated needs. The school provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where pupils are fully included in all aspects of school life. Our focus is on developing academic skills, social understanding, emotional wellbeing, and independence, enabling each pupil to achieve positive outcomes and prepare for their next steps. By fostering a strong sense of community and personalised learning, Baston House ensures every pupil is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

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.