Headteacher

The Avenue Special School, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ

28 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April 2027

• Closing date

  4 December 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  6 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £117,624.00 - £136,184.00 Annually (Actual)

Headteacher job summary

The Avenue School is seeking an exceptional and visionary Headteacher to lead our specialist school into its next exciting chapter. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), whilst leading a dedicated and highly skilled team committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil.

We are looking for a leader who is passionate about inclusive education, has high expectations for all learners, and can inspire staff, pupils, families and the wider community through a clear and ambitious vision.

The Role

As Headteacher, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the school.
• Build upon our strong culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.
• Ensure outstanding safeguarding, pastoral care and pupil welfare.
• Drive excellence in teaching, learning and curriculum development.
• Lead and develop a talented and dedicated staff team.
• Work in close partnership with trustees, governors, parents, local authorities and external agencies.
• Ensure effective financial management and value for money.
• Act as the school's Accounting Officer, ensuring compliance with statutory, financial and regulatory requirements.
• Champion inclusion and ensure every pupil receives the personalized support they need to succeed.

We Are Looking for Someone Who

• Has substantial senior leadership experience within a SEND setting
• Has developed and implemented strategies for raising achievement and improving outcomes for pupils with additional needs
• Can provide strategic and creative leadership to maintain and develop a school vision with quality of learning for all at its centre
• Can build and maintain effective relationships and communicate appropriately with governors, staff, pupils, parents and other professionals
• Is an inspirational leader who is committed to staff development and wellbeing
• Has a thorough understanding of safeguarding, SEND legislation and school improvement
• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) or equivalent leadership experience

We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a highly respected specialist academy.
• A talented and committed staff team
• Engaged and supportive Trustees and Governors.
• Extensive professional development opportunities.
• A positive, nurturing and collaborative culture.
• The chance to make a profound difference to the lives of children and families.

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 The Avenue Special School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 2 to 19
• Size: 253 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Avenue Special School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-avenue-special-school-reading

The Avenue School Special Needs Academy is a day special school for boys and girls from the age of 2 – 19 with complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

School location

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