Salary/Rate: £55,000 - £70,000/annum
Type: Permanent
About Aya College
AYA College is a small specialist independent school catering to students aged 10-18 with social, emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. Currently supporting up to 8 students, we have plans to expand to 20 in the near future. We provide tailored, high-quality education in small class settings (1:2 staff-to-student ratio), ensuring a nurturing environment that fosters academic achievement, emotional
resilience, and cultural identity.
Our holistic approach places a strong emphasis on cultural enrichment, including educational trips to Ghana, to help students develop a strong sense of identity and purpose. Previously inspected in November 2023 and rated as ‘meeting all of independent school standards requirements’ by Ofsted. We are now seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of School to lead our re-launch and next phase of growth, ensuring AYA College is operationally sustainable while delivering an exceptional education.
We are seeking a confident, values-led Head of School to lead the day-to-day educational and operational running of AYA College. This is not a traditional Headteacher role within a maintained school. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fee-funded independent provision, working closely with a Business & Marketing Manager and the Proprietor to ensure:
* Strong Local Authority relationships
* Appropriate pupil placements
* Educational excellence
* Operational sustainability
Person Specification
You will be:
* educationally credible with the relevant
* relationally confident
* commercially literate (not business-averse) and open to growing a new school
* comfortable working in a founder-led organisation
You may be:
* a qualified Headteacher or Deputy/Assistant Head, who is currently or aspiring to embark upon the NPHQ (head teacher) training.
* an experienced Headteacher seeking a smaller, specialist setting
* a leader from AP, PRU, or an independent SEMH provision
Essential Criteria:
* Senior leadership experience in SEMH/SEN/ alternative or independent education
* Confidence in engaging with Local Authorities to recruit new students
* Strong knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory frameworks
* Ability to work collaboratively with the SLT
Key Responsibilities
* Lead teaching, learning, safeguarding, and staff culture
* Act as the educational lead in Local Authority engagement
* Participate confidently in placement and fee discussions alongside the Business & Marketing Manager
* Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards and Ofsted expectations
* Build a stable, high-quality provision for pupils and staff
Benefits:
* An employee assistance programme (EAP)
* Travelcard/Bike Interest-free Loan (After Mid-Probation Review)
* Reimbursement of one professional subscription
* Private Medical Insurance (After Probation)
* Duvet Day on your Birthday
* Pre-authorised business travel expenses
To Apply
Please submit:
* CV, cover letter and a supporting statement outlining your suitability and your comfort operating in a fee-funded independent provision to