Assistant Head The Windmill School

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to lead and develop the secondary specialist curriculum within our all-age autism-specific school. We welcome applications from those new to leadership or seeking a first role in leadership as well as more experienced leaders.

This is a key strategic and operational role for an experienced SEND practitioner who understands that autism-specific education is not a simplified mainstream model, but a carefully designed, highly personalised curriculum built around an inside-out knowledge of autism and education.

The successful candidate will provide leadership across our secondary provision, ensuring that our 3 curriculum pathways are responsive to the complex and diverse needs of our autistic pupils. You will have a drive to deliver outcomes for our pupils that are meaningful and based on a strengths based curriculum model.

As part of Barnet Special Education Trust, The Windmill School is dedicated to delivering exceptional education and care for autistic pupils. The Windmill School follows a highly autism specialist curriculum that closely aligns with the secondary National Curriculum. We are ambitious that our pupils will be taking a range of external qualifications in areas of strength and interest. Our secondary setting provides a supportive and innovative environment where both students and staff can thrive.

About the role: You will lead the 11-19 phase of this all-age autism specific school, ensuring high quality teaching and progression between phases. You will oversee the transition planning of all pupils who move into the secondary school at phase transfer or mid-year and ensure curriculum pathways are developmentally appropriate, autism-informed and outcome-focused. You will oversee accreditation routes (e.g. entry level GCSE, vocational pathways and access to higher education) where appropriate and Monitor progress using appropriate assessment systems for autistic learners to prepare for analysis by the wider leadership team, Governing board and Trustees.

• QTS/QTLS
• An experienced and outstanding autism specialist with secondary or post-16 experience.
• A leader who combines strategic thinking, expertise in curriculum development and assessment systems in a special school and a calm, relational leadership style, and who is committed to improving outcomes for autistic learners.
• Ability to promote, embed and evaluate research-led practice, particularly in relation to autism-specific pedagogy and inclusive curriculum design
• Experience of leading or supporting professional learning communities or structured staff development programmes
• Understanding of ethical, strengths-based approaches to autism that uphold dignity, identity and wellbeing
• A leader who will ensure curriculum pathways are developmentally appropriate, autism-informed and outcome-focused
• Ability to influence whole-school culture so that policies and practice consistently reflect autism-affirming values
• Experience of working collaboratively with families and multi-disciplinary professionals to support personalised planning
• Someone passionate about inclusion and supporting young people to achieve their best
• This could suit a colleague ready to step into their first leadership role and make an impact

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Source: UK Teaching Vacancies Service (teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.