Head Teacher - SEN School
Chatten Free School, Rivenhall, Essex, CM8 3HH12 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
19 April 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
7 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
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
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Group 5 Leadership Range L18-L30
What skills and experience we're looking for
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent such as BCBA or UKSBA
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
- Qualification in SEND, behaviour or Autism
- BCBA or UKSBA
Experience of…
- Working with young people with complex needs including complex behaviour that challenges.
- And/or qualification in working with pupils with autism
- Working in a special school or alternative provision is desirable
- As an assistant or deputy leader (ideally in a SEND setting)
- Leading and developing teams
- Working with external and internal stake holders.
Skills and knowledge
- Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to inspire, motivate, and support staff and pupils
- Ability to build positive relationships with all stakeholders
- Commitment to personalised, pupil-centred approaches
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding requirements and procedures
- Deep understanding of SEND legislation, guidance, and best practice
- Strong knowledge of strategies for supporting pupils with autism and complex needs
Personal qualities
- Passionate about making a difference to the lives of children and young people
- High expectations for all pupils and belief in their potential
- Commitment to the school’s values of Happiness, Independence, and Respect
- Reflective, resilient, and adaptable
- Ability to work collaboratively and build trust
- Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Patience, empathy, kindness
- Flexible and ready to learn new things
- A sense of humour
- Hands on – you must be ready to be present with pupils
What the school offers its staff
Benefits:
- Opportunity to lead a truly unique and Outstanding special school
- Work with a passionate, skilled, and supportive staff team including an experienced and highly specialist leadership team
- Shape the future of provision for some of the most exceptional children and young people
- Strong professional development and support
- Generous salary
- Access to a wellbeing service that includes GP, Physio and counselling.
- Be part of Hope Learning Community – a relatively small trust with access to a wealth of expertise, experience and support.
- Extended handover from current head
Further information about the job
An incredible, unique opportunity has arisen to join an Outstanding Special School in Witham Essex as Head Teacher. You will join an established but still rapidly developing provision with a well-respected reputation with local stakeholders and national organizations.
Chatten is unique – the school is a multidisciplinary setting encompassing SALT, OT, ABA and multiple other approaches, set up to meet the needs of pupil’s whose needs cannot be met in any other setting in local area. With a totally individualized approach to pupil learning and every pupil assigned an individual tutor and individualized program of learning we are different and we are looking for someone special to join us headteacher.
Could you be the next school leader to help our pupils’ gain:
Happiness, Independence, Respect
And to access the world in a meaningful way
Chatten is a special place that gives second chances to some incredible children. Could it be the next step on your education leadership journey? If so, keep reading.
Perhaps you are already a headteacher looking for your next challenge or maybe you are a deputy or assistant head ready to take on the leadership of something unique and special.
Most of all we are looking for someone who has a passion for supporting young people with Autism and complex learning difficulties to get the most out of life. You should be patient, kind and passionate, you must be flexible and open to leading a unique setting. Expect a challenge. Expect to learn new things. Expect a role that is outside usual expectations of headship.
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
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Chatten Free School
- School type
- Free School, ages 4 to 19
- School size
- 75 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Chatten Free School website
- Email address
- hr@hopelearningcommunity.org.uk
Chatten Free School is a local authority–funded special needs free school in Witham, Essex, specialising in the education of pupils with severe autism and associated learning needs. Many of our pupils are pre-verbal and may display complex behaviours, and we are proud to offer a highly individualised, evidence‑based approach that meets their unique profiles.
As part of the Hope Learning Community Trust, we work within a strong network of SEND schools committed to excellence. Chatten is an Outstanding multidisciplinary setting where ABA, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and specialist teaching combine to create personalised programmes for every child. With 75 pupils and an SLD+ profile, our school is designed for those whose needs cannot be met elsewhere locally.
Our core values—Happiness, Independence and Respect—shape every aspect of school life. We strive to ensure that all pupils leave us with meaningful communication, functional life skills and the greatest possible independence. Chatten is a warm, joyful, and ambitious school, and we are incredibly proud of the life‑changing work that takes place here each day.
Please take a look on our website to find out more information about the school
· Head welcome
· Aims and Values
· Some informational videos
· Curriculum
· News Article: Chatten Free School transforms futures for autistic children with complex needs
Arranging a visit to Chatten Free School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@hopelearningcommunity.org.uk.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Essex, Southend and Thurrock