We’re looking for a highly organised, proactive and compassionate leader to join our senior leadership team as Assistant Headteacher – Operational Lead. This is a pivotal role in the day-to-day running of our specialist school for autistic pupils aged 7–16, where therapeutic education and bespoke support are at the heart of everything we do.
You’ll lead on operational strategy, compliance, and systems — but also play a key role in shaping the culture and rhythm of the school through assemblies, pupil leadership initiatives, and teaching responsibilities. If you thrive on making things work behind the scenes while staying connected to pupils and staff, this could be the perfect next step.
Clay Hill School is a specialist independent school for pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), set within the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the New Forest. Pupils are taught in small classes, with a strong focus on personalised learning, wellbeing, and progress. Every pupil is seen as an individual, and their education is shaped around their unique strengths, needs, and aspirations.
Core Responsibilities:
Operational Strategy & Oversight
1. Lead the whole-school calendar and timetable, ensuring efficient deployment of staff and resources.
2. Ensure policies are consistently implemented and adapted for a therapeutic SEND setting.
3. Sign off class orders and oversee resource management.
Staffing & Workforce Management
4. Manage staff absence and cover, including sourcing specialist supply staff.
5. Coordinate duty rotas, therapeutic support schedules, and out-of-class staffing.
6. Lead staff induction and support performance management processes.
7. Monitor staff engagement with online training and ensure compliance.
Student Welfare & Pupil Voice
8. Lead assemblies and pupil initiatives such as the School Council, Eco-Warriors, and Prefects.
9. Oversee attendance systems tailored to pupils’ individual needs.
10. Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring robust safeguarding practice across the school.
Educational Visits & Transitions
11. Serve as the Educational Visits Coordinator, leading on planning, risk assessment, and delivery of trips and residentials.
12. Manage admissions following successful placement offers.
13. Support transitions into and out of the school with care and precision.
Compliance, Health & Safety
14. Support the Headteacher in fulfilling Health & Safety responsibilities.
15. Ensure statutory returns and emergency procedures are accurate and inclusive.
16. Lead training on operational systems and compliance.
Teaching & Learning
17. Take on some teaching responsibility, contributing directly to pupil progress.
18. Support the monitoring of teaching and learning across the school, working closely with curriculum leads.
Leadership & Line Management
19. Line manage the Pastoral Lead, teaching staff, and (potentially) ECT mentors.
20. Provide clear, supportive leadership that reflects our school values and therapeutic ethos.
What We’re Looking For
21. Proven leadership experience in a specialist or mainstream setting.
22. Strong operational and organisational skills.
23. A deep understanding of SEND and therapeutic education.
24. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
25. A proactive, solution-focused mindset.
26. Experience as a DSL or willingness to train.
Why Join Us?
At Clay Hill and Home Farm School, we’re proud of our warm, inclusive culture. We support each other, celebrate progress, and never stop learning. You’ll be joining a school that values professional development, encourages innovation, and puts pupils at the centre of every decision.
What we offer:
27. Opportunities to shape whole-school systems and make a lasting impact.
28. A beautiful rural setting and a calm, purposeful working environment.
29. Free lunch, wellbeing support, and protected time for planning and training.
30. A warm, committed staff team who value creativity and care
31. Weekly enrichment activities tailored to pupil needs
32. Exclusive access to reward and discount scheme
33. Blue Light discount card
34. A chance to make a significant impact on the lives of our students
35. Teacher Pension scheme
36. Paid for enhanced DBS
As part of Aspris Children’s Services, we are immensely proud of the career pathway and training we can offer you. We ask that you can demonstrate the values needed for a role, transferable skills and life experience and in return we will give you all the training and support you need to progress.
We strongly believe in developing our own talent and growing our teachers into successful middle and senior leaders.
If you want to progress your career in Education, Aspris Children’s Services will help you get there.
Aspris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with Disclosure & Barring Service and at least 2 references which cover the last 3 years; for all our services we will request references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults. Please be advised that references may be requested prior to interview for roles within our Schools.
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