Headteacher

Aurora Peartree School; Malvern; On-site; GBP 84,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Great Malvern seeks an exceptional Headteacher for its new provision opening in Autumn 2026. This role involves leading operations, shaping the school's ethos and strategic direction, and developing an inclusive environment for students with ASD and SEMH needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong school leadership background, a commitment to safeguarding, and the ability to inspire and lead a diverse team. Competitive pay and extensive training opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Enhanced Annual Leave

Company Sick Pay

Enhanced Pension

Life Assurance

24/7 GP Access

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong track record in school leadership, ideally within specialist education.
• Committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Inspires and leads a team with empathy and clarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence and ensure safety of pupils, staff, and visitors.
• Drive pupil attendance, progress, and achievement.
• Build a resilient, skilled, and positive staff team.

Skills

School leadership

Safeguarding and welfare commitment

Empathy and clarity in leadership

Understanding of ASD / SEMH

Curriculum development

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Headteacher – Aurora Peartree

Location: Great Malvern, Worcestershire

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £84,699 - £93,424 (L21 – L25)

Start Date: April 2026

Closing Date: 12noon Friday 9th January 2026

Aurora Peartree is opening its doors in Autumn 2026, and we’re looking for an exceptional Headteacher to help lead and develop this exciting new provision. This is a rare opportunity to be part of something truly transformative.

Aurora Peartree will be a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious school for children and young people aged 5–19 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. With a capacity of 120 students, our vision is to create a safe, enriching and aspirational environment where every learner can thrive.

The role

As Headteacher, you’ll work closely with the Operations Director to assist in the development of Aurora Peartree in accordance with its shared values and school development plans. You’ll play a key role in shaping the school’s ethos, culture and strategic direction from the ground up. You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading operational excellence and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors.
• Driving pupil attendance, progress and achievement.
• Building a resilient, skilled and positive staff team.
• Ensuring compliance with Independent School Standards and Aurora’s high expectations.
• Championing a culture of enrichment, inclusion and high standards of behaviour.

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of the school when required. Please see the attached job description for full details.

Experience

• Has a strong track record in school leadership, ideally within specialist education.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Can inspire and lead a team with empathy, clarity and purpose.
• Understands the unique needs of students with ASD / SEMH and is driven to deliver outstanding outcomes.
• Is confident in managing school improvement strategies, curriculum development and quality assurance.

To achieve in this role you will be someone who inspires creativity and collaboration, a strong leader and a passionate advocate for your students, finding ways to deliver educational outcomes that make a real difference to them.

It is an exciting time to be part of Aurora and this is a unique career opportunity to make your mark on our growing services.

For further information or to arrange an informal chat with our Operations Director; please email our Recruitment Partner.

What’s on Offer at Aurora?

Grow with Us – Training & Development

Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.

Save Money on Everyday Essentials

With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:

Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more

Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme

Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed.

Competitive Pay & Reward

We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced Pension
• Life Assurance

24 / 7 GP Access – For You & Your Household

Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.

UK Health Cash Plan

Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!

Employee Assistance Programme

Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:

• Freephone counselling (available 24 / 7)
• Online tools and resources
• Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!

(*Terms apply)

How to Apply

You can apply online by completing our online application form.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Safeguarding Statement

Aurora Peartree School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to understand and share this commitment. We have a shared commitment to develop a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated. We welcome all applications, including those from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.