Head of School

Aurora Poppyfield School, KT24 5JP

11 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  16 February 2026

• Closing date

  27 February 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  16 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: £67,796 - £71,030 (FL11 – FL13)

Head of School job summary

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.

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 attached job description.

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
  

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.

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

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Aurora Poppyfield School

• School type: Special school, ages 11 to 16
• School size: 34 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Aurora Poppyfield School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/aurora-poppyfield-school

School location

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