Overview
We are hiring a Headteacher at Upton Grange School, Slough SL3 7LR (not pro rata). The role is permanent, full-time (term time only) with a salary up to £85,000 per annum and 38.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The position is part of Outcomes First Group and supports a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial where feasible, with continued full-time pay.
Location and start: Upton Grange School, Slough, January 2026 start. UK applicants only; sponsorship is not offered for this role.
About the role: As Headteacher, you will promote high-quality, creative learning, meet pupils’ educational needs, maximise achievement, and provide leadership within an infrastructure of central services (Finance, Resourcing, HR, IT) and a network of Headteachers across schools. You will contribute to school improvement while ensuring pupil welfare and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership to deliver outstanding pupil outcomes across the school.
* Create a safe environment that protects the welfare of pupils and staff.
* Ensure compliance with statutory requirements defined by the DfE, Ofsted and other external bodies, aiming for high inspection ratings.
* Lead a motivated staff group committed to excellence, ongoing professional development, and professional growth.
* Oversee school finances, resourcing, and cost management aligned with growth plans and occupancy targets.
* Develop and implement effective strategic and operational plans, including self-evaluation and school improvement.
* Align the school vision with the Acorn Group strategy to inspire students and staff.
Essential Qualifications
* At least three years’ experience as a senior leader in a specialist school for pupils with complex communication needs.
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
* Willingness to undertake personal and professional development.
* Ability to lead with a clear vision and to manage processes contributing to pupil outcomes, staff motivation, safeguarding, cost management, regulatory compliance, and growth plans.
Desirable
* Completion of NPQH.
* Experience of conducting performance management.
* Experience in appointing, managing and inducting staff.
* Experience planning the curriculum across a range of ages and abilities.
About Us
Upton Grange School provides Early Years to Key Stage 2 education for pupils with learning difficulties. The school uses a mix of teaching strategies and a semi-formal Equals Curriculum, aligned with National Curriculum expectations where appropriate. Upton Grange is part of the Hillingdon Grange group of schools, located over four sites, offering education from early years to KS2 in an autism-specific environment. The group focuses on personalised teaching to address individual needs and develop capabilities.
Location: Slough (15-minute walk from the rail station) with commutable access to Maidenhead, Twickenham, and surrounding areas. Outcomes First Group has a track record of delivering measurable outcomes and was certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ in 2024 for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
We focus on pupil outcomes and the impact of your role on others’ lives. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants will undergo a fully enhanced DBS check.
Benefits
* Life Assurance
* Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
* Wellbeing support, including mental health services and health checks
* Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) with wide health, wellbeing and insurance options, UK and abroad discounts
* Cycle to Work Scheme; Electric Car Purchase Scheme
* Critical illness cover; Family Growth Support (enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support)
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. All stages of the recruitment process follow safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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