Headteacher, North London

Octavia House Schools, London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vitality private healthcare

Professional development opportunities

Competitive pay

Job summary

Octavia House Schools seeks a Headteacher for a new North London site, starting January 2027. The role carries strategic responsibility for the school cluster, with a focus on delivering high-quality therapeutic education and ensuring compliance with relevant standards.

The successful candidate will drive expansion, oversee staff development and engagement with placing authorities, and lead from the front to secure outstanding pupil outcomes in a trauma-centred educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the school cluster, enabling excellence in provision and high levels of pupil progress.
• Collaborate with heads of school and other leaders to manage daily operations, including placements, timetabling, staff deployment, resourcing and compliance with the Independent School Standards.
• Ensure all pupils’ Education, Health and Care Plans are reviewed and their needs met in accordance with legislation.
• Achieve high rates of attendance, improving outcomes from pupils’ starting points, and maintain low rates of suspensions.
• Lead pupil admissions in partnership with the Head of Referrals, managing placement numbers and associated staffing levels.
• Oversee effective site management to meet safety standards and create an environment that supports therapeutic provision and positive learning outcomes.
• Lead engagement with families, manage complaints efficiently and ensure policies set out in the People and Leadership Handbooks are implemented.
• Strengthen the reputation of Octavia House Schools through pupil outcomes, research and engagement with placing authorities.

Job description

About the school

Octavia House Schools delivers high-quality trauma-centred therapeutic education. The schools support pupils who have adverse childhood experiences and complex social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as other associated special educational needs and disabilities. The organisation provides specialist educational settings and welcomes applications from experienced colleagues in both mainstream and specialist sectors who wish to extend their expertise.

The role

We are seeking a Headteacher for our new site in North London, commencing January 2027. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the DfE pre-registration inspection and subsequent expansion, including further material change inspections and the development of the staff team. The Headteacher holds strategic responsibility for the school cluster and leads with creativity, ambition and full compliance to deliver provision of the highest standard.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the school cluster, enabling excellence in provision and high levels of pupil progress.
• Collaborate with heads of school and other leaders to manage daily operations, including placements, timetabling, staff deployment, resourcing and compliance with the Independent School Standards.
• Ensure all pupils’ Education, Health and Care Plans are reviewed and their needs met in accordance with legislation.
• Achieve high rates of attendance, improving outcomes from pupils’ starting points, and maintain low rates of suspensions.
• Lead pupil admissions in partnership with the Head of Referrals, managing placement numbers and associated staffing levels.
• Oversee effective site management to meet safety standards and create an environment that supports therapeutic provision and positive learning outcomes.
• Lead engagement with families, manage complaints efficiently and ensure policies set out in the People and Leadership Handbooks are implemented.
• Strengthen the reputation of Octavia House Schools through pupil outcomes, research and engagement with placing authorities.

Benefits & package

• Highly competitive pay.
• Opportunity to work within a unique, seamless therapeutic team.
• Vitality private healthcare package, including health, medical and dental insurance, lifestyle benefits and heavily discounted gym membership.
• High-quality professional development and career progression opportunities, with financial support of up to 100% towards relevant professional qualifications.