Headteacher

We are looking for an experienced Leader to support the staff, pupils and families so we make sure all our children and young people continue to thrive and reach their potential. 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.

Help make an Everyday Breakthrough happen by joining our team.

A breakthrough can seem like the smallest thing, but it can make the world of difference to someone on the autism spectrum. By becoming a Headteacher at The National Autistic Society you’ll help make Everyday Breakthroughs happen more often.

We are looking for a Headteacher in Thames Valley School in Reading. You’ll be working with autistic children and their families in a school enviroment.

Thames Valley School is a special free school  for Autistic students between the ages of 5-16, catering for students whose needs are not currently being met by the spectrum of provision on offer. Our purpose built school will helps to prepare young autistic people from Reading and surrounding boroughs to have successful educational placements. We will then support transition into further education and employment and participation in their local community.

The NAS Academies Trust currently includes two other free schools, Church Lawton & Vanguard school (opening January 2020) It has been designated that Thames Valley School & Vanguard School will be partner schools, under the leadership of an Executive Principal and Executive Business & Finance Manager. Both schools will work collaboratively to maximise the standards, curriculum offer, training and employment opportunities. This new role will enable you to influence & contribute to the future of the NAS Academies Trust schools

The successful candidate will start in the summer term 2020 and work alongside the Executive. The Headteacher will be responsible for the operational management of the school, ensuring the highest quality specialist education for our students.

Being a headteacher takes bravery, patience and commitment. But working with autistic people gives so much more in return.

We need you to be resilient, supportive and sensitive towards the needs of autistic people. 

To be considered for this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate strong leadership qualities (including those of innovation and vision), as well as demonstrating specialist autism knowledge (through experience and practice).

Along with a host of benefits – from shopping discounts to flexible working and a competitive pension scheme - we’ll make sure you get excellent autism-specific training to help further your career.

You may have a personal connection, a desire to work with or real life experiences working with autistic people. If you share our values and are willing to make a difference to the lives of autistic people, we’d love to hear from you.

Interviews will be held: 29/11/19

If you have any specific questions about the role, get in touch with Jo Galloway Executive Principal jogalloway@thamesvalley.reading.sch.uk

The National Autistic Society is here to transform lives, challenges perceptions and build a society that works for autistic people. 

Visit our website to find out more about who we are and what we do.

Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

To apply for this position, please use the following link.

https://isw.changeworknow.co.uk/national_autistic_society/vms/e/careers/positions/ayowSrrnvjXi6cM4oBjdWf