Headteacher

JR United Kingdom; Papworth Everard; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is looking for a Headteacher at Papworth Hall School to lead innovative educational practices while supporting students with autism. The role offers a salary of up to £80,000 and the chance to take part in a trial of a 4-day working week to enhance work-life balance. Join a supportive team focused on improving pupil outcomes in a nurturing environment.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support Services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people with autism and challenging behaviors.
• Experience as a Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher.
• Knowledge of Ofsted procedures and school improvement.

Responsibilities

• Promote high-quality, creative learning and maximize pupil achievement.
• Exercise dynamic leadership and develop a shared vision.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to provide inclusive educational provision.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Inclusion

Budget Management

Education

Teaching Qualification

NPQH

Job description

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How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Salary: Up to £80,000.00 per annum depending on experience

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for an inspiring, experienced Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Papworth Hall School, part of Options Autism.

As Headteacher, you will promote a relentless focus on high-quality, creative learning, delivering our pupils' educational needs, and maximising pupils’ achievement while developing your strategic thinking in response to the complex autistic needs of our pupils.

About the role

As a Headteacher, you will exercise dynamic leadership of the school and ensure the full development of the vision for the service, its promotion, and continuous improvement. You will create and maintain a Centre of Excellence in the education of our students.

You will create a shared vision and strategic plan that inspires and motivates pupils, staff, and all other school community members. This vision should express core educational values and moral purpose and include stakeholders’ values and beliefs. The strategic planning process is critical to sustaining school improvement and ensuring that the school moves forward for the benefit of its pupils.

You will collaborate with the school's senior leadership team and the Regional Director to provide an inclusive approach to outstanding educational and therapeutic provision.

You will have overall responsibility for the strategic leadership of the secondary site whilst maintaining ongoing communication with the primary school to ensure that the provision and standards are consistently high across the schools.

• Relevant experience in the specialist area of the service, i.e., relevant experience working with young people/young adults with autistic spectrum disorders and/or challenging behaviour
• Relevant experience as a Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher in a Special Needs School.
• Experience with Ofsted procedures/inspections and working with School Improvement Partners.
• Manage budgets effectively and ensure cost efficiency and financial compliance.
• Relevant Teaching Qualification
• Completion of NPQH
• Experience of conducting performance management
• Experience of planning the curriculum across a range of ages and abilities

About Us

Papworth Hall School is located in the picturesque village of Cambridgeshire, close to Huntingdon and Cambridge. It caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism, and associated learning and emotional needs, with a capacity for 30 students.

For over 16 years, Options Autism has provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering innovative approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are proud to be recognized as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth consecutive year in 2024.

Why join Options Autism?

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll receive an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to mental health support services and physical health checks

Our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, offers options such as:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Discount options in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will undergo social media checks and a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time for personal pursuits. The 4DWW is subject to successful probation and is not a contractual benefit.