About the role
Are you an innovative and visionary Headteacher or Senior Leader who is passionate about improving the lives of pupils with Autism Spectrum Continuum (ASC) and complex additional needs? Claystone School offers an exciting leadership opportunity to join a dedicated and forward-thinking team committed to ‘Thinking and Learning Differently.’
In this role, you will lead with integrity and creativity, driving excellence in education tailored to meet the unique challenges and strengths of our pupils. Your strategic insight will maximize pupil achievement and well-being, shaping a school culture that is inclusive, nurturing, and ambitious.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide strategic leadership and direction, shaping and embedding the school’s vision, ethos, and values
2. Lead the development and implementation of innovative, high-quality, and personalized educational programs for pupils with ASC and complex needs
3. Inspire, motivate, and develop all staff, fostering a culture of continuous professional development, collaboration, and high expectations
4. Ensure compliance with all statutory regulations and maintain outstanding standards in safeguarding, health and safety, and educational outcomes
5. Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Governing Body, and Regional Director to drive school improvement and evaluate progress against key performance indicators
6. Promote effective partnerships with pupils, families, external agencies, and the wider community to support holistic pupil development
7. Oversee the integration of therapeutic approaches within the educational framework to provide a comprehensive support system
8. Manage the school’s budget and resources efficiently to support strategic priorities and sustainable growth
9. Lead recruitment, retention, and staff wellbeing initiatives to build a committed and high-performing workforce
10. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within all aspects of the school’s work
11. Ensure robust communication systems are in place to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged
12. Represent the school within the local authority and national educational forums
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a dynamic, compassionate, and experienced leader who can:
13. Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
14. Have completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) or equivalent senior leadership qualification
15. Demonstrate proven leadership experience in special education settings, ideally with pupils diagnosed with ASC and complex needs
16. Exhibit exceptional strategic planning and organisational skills with the ability to implement long-term vision and deliver measurable outcomes
17. Have strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to build positive relationships with staff, pupils, families, governors, and external partners
18. Be a confident decision-maker with a solutions-focused and proactive approach to challenges
19. Show a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and pupil wellbeing as fundamental priorities
20. Inspire, empower, and lead staff to achieve their full potential through coaching, mentoring, and professional development
About the school
Our brand-new Options Autism school – Claystone School in Luton, Bedfordshire – is designed to support up to 48 pupils aged 4–11, providing a nurturing and specialist environment for children with ASC and complex needs.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
21. Life Assurance
22. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
23. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
24. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
25. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
26. Cycle to Work Schemes
27. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
28. Critical illness cover
29. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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