Overview and Responsibilities
Head of School
Location: Effingham, Surrey
Salary: £67,796 - £71,030 (FL11 – FL13)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term Contract 12 Months - Maternity Cover
Closing Date: Noon 27th February 2026
Aurora Poppyfield School
Join our dedicated team at Poppyfield School, where we support students aged 11–16 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) through a nurturing and inclusive approach. We empower our young people to access the national curriculum in a way that works for them and to achieve meaningful vocational qualifications by the time they leave school.
We're seeking a dedicated Head of School to join our school on a 12 month fixed term maternity cover contract. You will provide highly effective leadership of Aurora Poppyfield. The Head of School will take a leadership role in assisting the Principal to develop the school in accordance with its shared values and school development plans.
To see more about the work that Poppyfield does please follow this link -
Key duties:
* Establish and sustain the school's ethos and strategic direction together with the Principal and governing board and through consultation with the school community.
* Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively.
* Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school's context.
* Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented.
* Monitor progress towards achieving the school's aims and objectives.
* Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively.
* Undertake safeguarding duties supported by the Principal which will entail reporting and following up incidents in a timely manner and where appropriate liaising with both internal and external stakeholders.
* Work in close partnership with the Principal in actively and demonstrably promoting enrichment, entitlement and achievement through building and implementing agreed school policies and practices.
Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Poppyfield when required. Please see the link below for our full job description:
Job Description - Head of School
Skills and Qualifications
Successful candidate qualities:
* Successful leadership and management experience in a school.
* Teaching experience within an SEN setting
* Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning
* Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development
* Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to set targets and identify weaknesses.
* Understanding of high-quality teaching based on evidence, and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve.
* Effective communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to build effective working relationships.
* A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school.
* Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
* Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times.
* Commitment to safeguarding and equality, ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways that exploit the position
Benefits and Additional Information
What's on Offer at Aurora?
We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here's a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you.
Grow with Us – Training & Development
Learning never stops at Aurora We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.
Save Money on Everyday Essentials
With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:
* Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more
* Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme
Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed
Competitive Pay & Reward
We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You'll enjoy:
* Enhanced Annual Leave
* Company Sick Pay
* Enhanced Pension
* Life Assurance
24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household
Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.
UK Health Cash Plan
Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too
Employee Assistance Programme
Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:
* Freephone counselling (available 24/7)
* Online tools and resources
Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000
Know someone who'd be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded(*Terms apply)
How to Apply:
For candidates that haven't worked in this sector before please be aware that for regulatory reasons the application process is far more detailed and thorough compared to other sectors.
Please complete the online application form in full, including all employment and education details, and provide a personal statement that makes us keen to speak to you.
If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search