Head of School

The Village School, London, NW9 0JY

18 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  7 June 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  20 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term - Two years, subject to review
• Full-time equivalent salary: £100,951.00 - £115,382.00
• Pay scale: L24–L30 (Inner London)

What skills and experience we're looking for

"It takes a village to raise a child."

The Village School is seeking an exceptional, decisive and values-driven Head of School to lead our outstanding specialist community with clarity, ambition and purpose.

We are a thriving special school, previously judged Outstanding by Ofsted (June 2023), serving over 310 pupils aged 3 to 19 in the London Borough of Brent. All our pupils hold an Education, Health and Care Plan; many have a diagnosis of Autism or complex medical needs. Organised across five distinctive villages and three sites, our school is a place where, in the words of our inspectors, "there is no ceiling placed on what pupils can achieve," and we are determined to keep it that way.

This is a newly created post. Working in close partnership with the Director of Education at Compass Learning Partnership, the Head of School will provide strong, accountable and inspiring day-to-day leadership across the school - upholding and building upon our outstanding reputation, driving forward curriculum excellence, and ensuring every member of our talented staff team is led, developed and empowered to give their very best.

The successful candidate will provide direct line management to the Deputy Headteacher, three Assistant Headteachers, five Key Stage Leads and the Head of Therapy, and will be a key member of a committed Senior Leadership Team ready to work in partnership with new leadership, with clear direction and accountability.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Leads with confidence, integrity and high expectations - of themselves, of their team and of every pupil
• Has a proven track record of strong, effective people management and the ability to hold leaders to account with compassion and clarity
• Can drive and develop an ambitious, needs-led curriculum across a specialist SEND setting, from EYFS through to Sixth Form and Post-16
• Knows how to delegate effectively and build leadership capacity at every level
• Is committed to Preparing for Adulthood and to developing meaningful outcomes for young people with SEND
• Understands the unique demands of leading a multi-site specialist school and thrives under the strategic leadership and support of the Director of Education
• Builds authentic, trusting partnerships with families, the Local Authority and multi-agency professionals

What the school offers its staff

• A school previously judged Outstanding by Ofsted (June 2023) and celebrated by Challenge Partners
• A rich, integrated curriculum spanning EYFS through to Year 14
• On-site therapeutic provision delivered through a multidisciplinary team, with services continuing to develop in line with pupil needs
• A stable, experienced and skilled Senior Leadership Team
• Close, collegiate support from the Director of Education and Compass Learning Partnership, a two-school specialist SEND MAT with a track record of outstanding practice
• The opportunity to make a profound and lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND

School visits are warmly encouraged for external candidates on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. To arrange a visit time, please get in touch with hr-clp@compasslp.co.uk and confirm your interest by 3 pm on Monday, 1 June 2026.

Closing date: Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 23:59

Shortlisting: Week commencing Monday, 8 June 2026

Interviews: Week commencing Monday, 22 June 2026

The selection process will be comprehensive and will include a candidate presentation, a written exercise and a formal panel interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

If you are a leader ready to step up, lead decisively, and make a genuine difference, we would be delighted to hear from you.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Village School

• School type: Academies, ages 3 to 19
• School size: 311 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Village School website
• Email address: hr-clp@compasslp.co.uk
• Phone number: 0300 303 0610
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-village-school-nw9-0jy

Our school supports the needs of children with complex needs, cognition and learning difficulties. The school is a learning community of five villages, serving pupils aged 3 to 19, with a diverse and vibrant student body.

The Village School school curriculum is our progression model and supports, challenges and encourages each young person so they are active participants at every stage in the learning journey with a real zest for experiencing all aspects of life to the full!

Arranging a visit to The Village School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr-clp@compasslp.co.uk.

School location

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