Head of School

Full Job Description

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge

Job Title:  Head of School
Location:  Ashley Park School, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7LR
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday 
Salary:      Up to £72,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        June 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Ashley Park School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing and ambitious environment. We are seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead our specialist learning community — a visionary leader who can inspire staff, empower pupils and shape a culture where every young person can achieve more than they ever thought possible.

This is more than a leadership role — it’s your opportunity to drive meaningful change, influence lives and build a school where excellence, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything.

As Head of School, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all areas of school life, ensuring the highest standards in education, safeguarding, wellbeing and school improvement. Working closely with staff, families, local authorities and external partners, you’ll create a culture that is aspirational, inclusive and child-centred — where pupils feel valued, supported and inspired to succeed.

You’ll lead a dedicated team, shape the future direction of the school and ensure Ashley Park School continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

What You’ll Do

As part of our committed team, you will:

• Leading the school to deliver exceptional outcomes across academic, personal and social development
• Creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment with safeguarding at its core
• Driving high standards in teaching, learning, behaviour and therapeutic support
• Leading, motivating and developing a talented team through effective recruitment, CPD and performance management
• Overseeing strategic planning, self-evaluation and continuous school improvement
• Building strong relationships with pupils, families, local authorities and external partners
• Ensuring compliance with DfE, Ofsted and statutory requirements
• Supporting the school’s ongoing growth, sustainability and operational success
• Championing the values and vision of Acorn Education across the wider organisation

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• QTS or Degree equivalent required
• Inspirational leadership and a passion for transforming the lives of children and young people.
• Deep understanding of SEND, safeguarding and high‑quality teaching and learning.
• Strong strategic thinking, operational management and people‑leadership skills.
• A commitment to excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

If you are committed to helping young people achieve more than they ever thought possible, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

Ashley Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Epsom, Surrey, for autistic young people aged 11–19, with a capacity for 60 pupils.

We provide a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where every pupil can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Personalised teaching, differentiated lessons, and tailored therapeutic support ensure each pupil’s unique needs and abilities are met.

Our curriculum combines academic study, vocational pathways, and life skills, preparing young people to achieve their full potential and future aspirations.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

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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