Assistant Headteacher

Integrity Education Solutions are supporting an SEN Academy Trust with an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and ambitious senior leader to join a highly regarded specialist autism school based in South London as Assistant Headteacher, from September 2026.

This role would suit an outstanding practitioner with a strong background in special education who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with autism. The successful candidate will become a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, lead a designated Key Stage while helping to shape the strategic direction of the school.

The school is recognised for its commitment to providing high-quality education and support for pupils with autism, creating an environment where every learner is encouraged to achieve their full potential. The Assistant Headteacher will play a vital role in driving excellence in teaching and learning, supporting staff development, and ensuring consistently high standards across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a designated Key Stage, ensuring outstanding educational outcomes for pupils
• Monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of teaching and learning across the Key Stage
• Line manage teachers and support staff, providing coaching, mentoring, and professional development
• Contribute to the strategic leadership and continuous improvement of the school
• Lead a curriculum subject area across the whole school
• Support behaviour, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing through effective leadership and best practice
• Work collaboratively with families, therapists, external professionals, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure a joined-up approach to pupil support

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Outstanding classroom practice within a special school setting
• Strong knowledge of autism and evidence-based teaching approaches
• Previous leadership experience, including subject or middle leadership responsibilities
• Experience supporting and developing colleagues through coaching and mentoring
• A proven ability to drive pupil progress and raise standards
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills
• The ability to inspire, motivate, and lead staff effectively
• Resilience, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking specialist school where leadership is valued, professional development is encouraged, and staff work collaboratively to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people with autism.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence whole-school improvement, develop leadership skills further, and contribute to an environment where pupils are supported to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

• Salary offered:  £76,000 - £83,000 (Dependent on experience)

Integrity Education Solutions and the school are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS and full pre-employment checks. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.