Lead with ambition. Transform lives. Shape the future of autistic education.
At The Rise School, we believe every autistic young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, achieve and live a fulfilling life. As part of Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust, we are proud to deliver an exceptional specialist education that places autistic learners at the heart of everything we do.
Due to the retirement of our current postholder, we are now seeking an outstanding and inspirational Head of School to lead The Rise School into its next exciting chapter.
This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to be part of both the MAT but also AaA and an exciting opportunity to shape a school where innovation, inclusion and high aspirations come together to create life-changing outcomes for autistic children and young people.
You will have an opportunity to work with and alongside our Director of Education, Executive Headteacher, Governing Body, Trustees and the wider Ambitious about Autism central teams, & Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
You will provide strategic leadership that ensures every learner, every member of staff and every family experiences excellence and as Head of School, you will:
- Lead the strategic and operational direction of The Rise School, embedding our vision, values and ambitious culture across every aspect of school life.
- Inspire, develop and empower a talented leadership team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Champion exceptional teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring every learner receives a high-quality, personalised education that enables them to flourish.
- Drive school improvement through evidence-informed practice, rigorous self-evaluation and an unwavering commitment to outstanding outcomes.
- Build strong relationships with families, governors, colleagues and external partners, acting as an inspiring ambassador for The Rise School and Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion, creating an environment where learners and staff feel safe, valued and able to succeed.
- Lead the effective management of people, resources and budgets, ensuring the school remains sustainable while delivering exceptional educational provision.
- Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of Ambitious about Autism as a member of the Education Executive Management Team, the new ‘Ambitious Together Strategy' and help to shape the future of specialist education nationally.
We're looking for a leader who brings knowledge, skill and understanding of the specialist sector, vision, drive, integrity and determination. Someone who believes that autistic young people deserve the very highest expectations and who has the passion to create an environment where learners exceed those expectations every day.
You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of school improvement, implementing and managing change, developing high-performing teams and delivering outstanding educational outcomes. You will combine strategic thinking with visible, compassionate leadership and be committed to developing staff so they can be the very best for the children and young people they serve.
In return, you'll join an organisation recognised nationally for transforming the lives of autistic children and young people. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, contribute to sector-leading practice and have the opportunity to influence education well beyond the walls of one school.
If you are an ambitious leader ready to make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and lead a school where ambition has no limits, potential is recognised in every child, and every success changes lives.
Start Date- September 2027
Closing Date- 23 September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome of application- 25 September 2026
Interview Dates- Stage 1- 30 September 2026, Stage 2- 1 October 2026
Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.
Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.
Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.
