Headteacher

Reeson Education; London Borough of Harrow; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

REESON Education is seeking an experienced Headteacher for a specialist SEND school in Harrow. You will lead day-to-day operations, drive school improvement and ensure high standards of safeguarding and pupil progress.

You will work with the Executive Headteacher and senior leaders to create a calm, ambitious learning environment for pupils aged 5-16 with autism and additional needs. Salary £55,000-£70,000.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status required.
• Substantial senior leadership experience.
• Proven track record of raising educational standards.
• Experience leading whole-school improvement.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Knowledge of Ofsted expectations and inspection preparation.
• Experience of EHCPs and annual reviews.
• Ability analysing pupil progress and school-performance information.
• Ability to hold challenging professional conversations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the school.
• Provide visible leadership across the setting.
• Monitor teaching and learning and drive improvements.
• Manage resources and budgets with the Executive Headteacher.
• Lead appraisal, coaching and professional development.
• Ensure safeguarding, behaviour and attendance standards.
• Promote high-quality teaching across the school.
• Create a positive, consistent and high-performing school culture.

Skills

Leadership experience

Staff development

Data analysis

Inspection readiness

Challenging conversations

Raising standards

Whole-school improvement

EHCP knowledge

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Headteacher

I am recruiting an experienced and ambitious Headteacher for a specialist SEND school in Harrow. This is an exciting opportunity for an established school leader to take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of a specialist setting supporting children and young people aged 5-16 with autism and additional needs including ADHD and SEMH. The school combines small classes, specialist teaching and personalised support with high expectations for pupils. There is a strong emphasis on academic progress alongside communication, confidence, independence and preparation for the future.

The Headteacher Role

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher and wider leadership team, the Headteacher will take responsibility for the effective day-to-day running of the school. You will provide visible leadership across the setting, ensuring staff understand expectations and pupils experience a calm, purposeful and ambitious learning environment.

• Leading the day-to-day operation of the school.
• Creating a positive, consistent and high-performing school culture.
• Developing and implementing evidence-based school improvement plans.
• Maintaining excellent standards of safeguarding, behaviour and attendance.
• Monitoring teaching and learning and driving improvements where required.
• Managing and developing teachers, support staff and middle leaders.
• Leading appraisal, coaching and professional development.
• Managing resources and budgets alongside the Executive Headteacher.

An important part of this appointment is ensuring that nurture and specialist support are accompanied by strong teaching and genuinely ambitious expectations for pupils. The school's curriculum is differentiated around individual needs, EHCP outcomes, professional assessments and pupils' starting points. Teaching is designed to address gaps in previous learning while introducing new knowledge through carefully sequenced and accessible steps.

The Headteacher will ensure that classroom practice consistently reflects these principles.

• Promote high-quality teaching across the school.
• Monitor classroom practice and provide constructive challenge.
• Ensure curriculum pathways are appropriate and ambitious.
• Use assessment and pupil data intelligently to identify areas for improvement.
• Identify weaknesses in teaching and implement effective interventions.
• Ensure disadvantaged pupils and those with complex needs receive appropriate challenge.
• Maintain a school-wide focus on pupil achievement.
• Ensure behaviour and classroom routines enable learning to flourish.

The successful candidate must be comfortable being a highly visible leader. You will spend time in classrooms, understand what is happening across the school and have the confidence to act when standards fall below expectations.

Who Are We Looking For?

This opportunity would suit an experienced Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Head of School or established senior leader who can demonstrate significant responsibility within SEND or a similarly complex educational environment.

You should have:

• Qualified Teacher Status.
• Successful teaching and substantial senior leadership experience.
• A strong track record of raising educational standards.
• Experience leading whole-school improvement.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• An understanding of Ofsted expectations and inspection preparation.
• Experience of EHCPs and annual reviews.
• Confidence analysing pupil progress and school-performance information.
• The ability to hold challenging professional conversations where necessary.

We are particularly interested in a Headteacher who combines warmth and empathy with clarity, resilience and accountability. You should be someone who can bring people with you while being prepared to make difficult decisions when necessary. The school needs a leader who can establish strong routines, ensure expectations are consistently applied and create an environment where pupils feel safe and supported without lowering expectations around behaviour, engagement or achievement. The setting's philosophy is centred around children feeling known, valued and challenged, with positive relationships and strong routines underpinning learning.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a specialist school while benefiting from the support of an Executive Headteacher and wider leadership structure. The position offers a salary of £55,000-£70,000, for an experienced SEND leader who enjoys creating structure, developing teams and driving improvement, this represents an opportunity to have a significant impact on both the school and its pupils.

Reeson Education is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.