Principal

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, inspirational leader to join our dynamic team. The school has consistently been awarded Outstanding in both care and education and due to the retirement of the current Principal we are looking for an innovative forward thinker to lead this established National Autistic Society residential and day School.

Who we are: 

The National Autistic Society are the UK’s leading autism charity. Since we began over 50 years ago, we have been pioneering new ways to support people and understand autism. We continue to learn every day from the children and adults we support in our schools and care services.

Based on our experience, and with support from our members, donors and volunteers, we provide life-changing information and advice to millions of autistic people, their families and friends. And we support professionals, politicians and the public to understand autism better so that more autistic people of all ages can be understood, supported and appreciated for who they are.

Until everyone understands.

What our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ report November 2016 says about our school:

Under the determined leadership of the principal and deputy principal, leaders have created a research-based culture to bring about continuous improvement. As a result, leaders have maintained, and improved, the quality of provision offered for pupils.

The highly integrated trans-disciplinary and whole-school approach has had an extraordinarily positive impact on pupils’ outcomes. Current research informs teaching and learning. Furthermore, school leaders, including therapists, are on the cutting edge of developing practice nationally. Together they develop innovative ways to support communication and emotional and social literacy for children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). The school is a beacon of excellent practice in the sector. 

Teaching is highly effective. Teachers are knowledgeable and have very high expectations. They know their pupils’ needs extremely well and plan creatively to meet them. Consequently, pupils make rapid gains in their academic, personal and social development.

Who we are looking for: 

  This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and inspirational leader within specialist education to lead the way in transforming the lives of young people on the autism spectrum and develop a true community school which is linked with community groups, parents, local authorities, and other schools in the region. 

You will: 

Embrace the changing landscape in specialist education and oversee the development and operational management of the school with the support of the UK’s leading charity for people with autism. 

Create a distinctive culture and philosophy so that from the moment a person enters the building they will know this is a school where pupils are respected, achieve beyond what is expected, are empowered to make positive choices about their own lives and have rich and varied experiences. 

Visits to the school by arrangement are warmly welcomed and encouraged – please contact Amelia Branch on 01474 814878 or amelia.branch@nas.org.uk to make an appointment. Please also visit our website for further details of the school www.autism.org.uk/helenallison

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 3rd September 2017 

 Interviews: 15th September 2017

How to apply: 

   •    To apply for this role please click the apply button and complete the online application form.

   •    When completing the supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and highlight any information that shows your suitability for the role.