The Avenue Special School is a vibrant and friendly school community which supports more than 250 pupils, aged between 3-19, with a range of severe or profound learning difficulties, some physical disabilities and autism. We have small well-resourced classes and a real passion for supporting young people to have active and healthy lives through an exciting education both in and out of the classroom. Working at The Avenue provides you with the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people with special educational needs. It also allows you to progress in your career, taking on responsibilities and developing your passions and interests. We care deeply about CPD and balancing workloads to allow staff to flourish, so we offer a full programme of training and mentoring, staff wellbeing days, and the chance to work in a supportive and encouraging team environment where your voice really does matter. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Post-16 department so that learners make excellent progress towards improved independence, work-related opportunities (as appropriate), good health, and community inclusion. They will ensure that the Post-16 curriculum, assessment and accreditation pathways are aspirational and personalised, whilst ensuring that EHCP outcomes are appropriately embedded and aligned. The Head of Post-16 will lead a safe, nurturing and ambitious culture that supports high quality transitions and access to appropriate destinations. The successful candidate will be highly organised, an inspiring teacher and leader with proven experience of delivering outstanding outcomes for Post-16 pupils. You will also demonstrate experience of implementing initiatives at a strategic level as well as being a good communicator and a proactive team member. The Head of Post-16 would be joining at an exciting time when innovative expansion options are being pursued. To apply, please visit the vacancy page of our website www.avenue.reading.sch.uk and fill in the forms you’ll find in the Leadership recruitment section. All completed application forms must be returned to recruitment@avenue.reading.sch.uk. For more information and to arrange a tour of the school, please call Vanessa Carrick on 0118 214 5257. The closing date for all applications is Friday 20th February 2026 Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .