Assistant Headteacher in London

Are you an inclusive and skilled communicator with a passion for making a difference in the lives of autistic young people? Do you have the drive, expertise, and vision to shape and enhance our personal development curriculum, supporting students' holistic growth and enabling them to thrive as active citizens within their communities? If so, we are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral, Behaviour and Attitudes to join the Senior Leadership Team at The Rise School, West London.

In this key leadership role, you will lead on behaviour and attitudes across the school, driving workforce development with a particular focus on autism‑specific skills, knowledge, and understanding. You will be responsible for leading and developing outstanding autism practice and pedagogy, ensuring our students receive the highest quality support and education.

The Rise School is an Ofsted‑rated 'Good' specialist school for autistic pupils aged 4–19. At full capacity, we support 130 students across Key Stages 1–5. We currently educate students from Year 5 to Year 14 across our two sites in Feltham and Isleworth.

Why The Rise School?

• Work in a school that successfully combines the best of mainstream and specialist SEND education.
• Be part of a community where academic rigour is balanced with social development, wellbeing, and independence.
• Join a supportive Senior Leadership Team while enjoying significant autonomy within your role.
• Lead the development of tolerant, inclusive attitudes and positive relationships across the school.
• Support colleagues to respond to behaviours of concern with compassion, consistency, and a focus on teaching and learning, enabling students to develop greater self‑regulation over time.
• Work collaboratively with families and external professionals to secure the very best outcomes for young people.
• Be guided by a strong sense of moral purpose and commitment to improving lives.
• Access high‑quality professional development and ongoing support.
• Work alongside highly skilled and supportive colleagues who share your values and ethos.
• Be part of an organisation that actively supports career progression and offers opportunities beyond your own school.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who:

• Already hold a senior leadership position and are seeking greater autonomy, broader responsibility, or a new professional challenge; or
• Hold a significant middle leadership role and are ready to take the next step into senior leadership.

We Offer:

• High‑quality professional development and leadership support.
• Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24‑hour telephone support.
• Access to a wide range of discounts and benefits.
• Additional employee benefits, including a Health Care Plan, Cycle to Work Scheme, and Eye Care Scheme.
• Weekly staff wellbeing sessions.
• Access to our on‑site gym facilities.

If you are committed to improving outcomes for autistic young people and want to make a lasting impact within a values‑driven organisation, we would love to hear from you. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications, therefore early application is encouraged.

Start Date: January 2027 or sooner.

Interview date: Early interview date- Thursday 18th June 2026, Thursday 25 or Friday 26 June 2026.

Only applications submitted online will be considered via the recruitment portal.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations.

We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long‑term affects a person's ability to perform day‑to‑day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.