A wonderful opportunity for an experienced and specialist education leader who enjoys working in highly structured environments, solving complex learning and safeguarding challenges, and leading provision for children with autism, SEMH and complex needs within an independent specialist setting. The right person will recognise this Head Teacher role as a natural next step based on their leadership experience, inspection readiness and career stage.

Why This Role

This is a dual school role offers the opportunity to shape and lead a developing specialist schools, direct exposure to registration and inspection readiness, and the chance to embed high standards, culture and curriculum from the ground up. Focusing on founding impact, genuine autonomy and values‑led leadership within an integrated education and residential care context.

The Role

In this role, you will spend most of your time leading the school’s educational direction, standards and culture, ensuring an outstanding experience for every pupil through a personalised curriculum, high‑quality teaching and learning, and effective pastoral wraparound. You will champion safeguarding‑first practice for children with autism, SEMH and complex needs, enabling them to make exceptional progress from their individual starting points. Working closely with teaching teams, residential care colleagues, senior leaders and external professionals, you will be responsible for delivering outcomes linked to inspection readiness, Independent School Standards compliance and continuous school improvement. This Headteacher role balances strategic leadership with a visible, hands‑on presence, providing clarity and stability from day one.

What You’ll Bring

• You will hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at primary and/or secondary level, with a strong track record of senior leadership in specialist SEN or special school settings supporting children with autism and complex needs.
• You bring deep, current knowledge of developments in SEND practice, including the National Curriculum and personalised, engagement‑based curriculum models, alongside a strong understanding of how children with complex learning difficulties learn and progress.
• You will have experience leading staff teams at Deputy Headteacher level or above, with the ability to manage, support and motivate teachers and support staff through clear expectations, effective communication and performance management.
• You are confident working with parents, carers and external professionals, facilitating meaningful partnership and ensuring the child remains at the centre of every decision.
• You will have demonstrable experience working within regulated education environments, including direct involvement with Ofsted, DfE or Estyn frameworks, and applying Independent School Standards in practice.
• You are comfortable building on a newly registered or developing school, maintaining momentum and ensuring previously established work continues at pace.
• A SEN qualification and a formal management or leadership qualification support your practice, alongside the resilience, flexibility and professional judgement required to lead calmly under pressure while creating a warm, structured and welcoming learning environment.

Benefits & Environment

Benefits for this role include a competitive salary package, funded professional development and leadership qualifications, and the opportunity to progress within a growing specialist education and residential care group. You’ll be working in an environment that values safeguarding, emotional resilience, teamwork and child‑centred decision‑making, with the autonomy to lead without unnecessary bureaucracy.

If this role sounds like a strong match for your experience and career goals, we encourage you to apply. Submit your application via the link provided, and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss next steps.

Since 1951, Drake International has connected people with meaningful work across the UK and globally. We are committed to inclusive, equitable hiring and a respectful recruitment process in line with the Equality Act 2010. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

*Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by our recruitment team for an initial conversation.