Exciting Opportunity for a Passionate Educational Leader
Are you an experienced, values-driven educational leader ready to shape and lead a truly innovative provision?
MindSenseAbility (MSA) is seeking a Head of Education to lead our newly established East Street Farm School, alongside our well-established Alternative Provision. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing a forward-thinking, therapeutic education model for young people with autism, developmental trauma and complex mental health needs.
Set within the natural beauty of the New Forest, this role offers the chance to build and lead an aspirational, inclusive and therapeutic learning environment, where education and clinical practice are seamlessly integrated.
MSA is a specialist therapeutic education provision supporting young people whose needs have not been met in traditional settings. Through a bespoke, multi-disciplinary approach, we combine education, therapy and family support to re-engage learners and enable successful transitions into education, training and adulthood.
We are excited to have recently completed a new purpose built independent special school, East Street Farm, set in the heart of the New Forest. East Street Farm specialises in supporting children age 8-16 with Autism, Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and associated mental health needs including developmental trauma.
Our beautiful school site hosts classrooms which can each cater for up to six pupils and a range of facilities including a sensory integration space, multiple therapy spaces, workshop, poly-tunnel and Forest School. Our multidisciplinary team includes Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
Our Ofsted registration is complete and we are ready to welcome our first pupils.
Nurturing Belonging – creating safe, inclusive environments where every young person feels valued
Supporting Growth – enabling progress through personalised, high-quality provision
Inspiring Change – fostering resilience, independence and positive futures
The Role
As Head of Education, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across both the new school and alternative provision. You will work as part of a collaborative Senior Leadership Team, working closely with clinical colleagues to ensure a fully integrated, therapeutic approach.
You will lead the development of:
- A broad, balanced and aspirational curriculum, including outdoor learning and therapeutic practice
- High-quality, individualised teaching and learning approaches
- A strong, reflective and collaborative staff culture
- Systems that ensure excellent outcomes for pupils with complex SEND
This is a hands-on leadership role where you will inspire staff, support innovation and ensure that every young person receives a meaningful and engaging education.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear, values-driven leadership across education provision
- Lead and develop a team of high-performing teachers, working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team
- Further develop the delivery of a bespoke, aspirational curriculum
- Ensure consistently high standards of teaching, learning and assessment with a focus on individualised, therapeutic approaches
- Create a safe, engaging and nurturing environment for young people
- Embed a therapeutic, trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming approach
- Work in partnership with families, local authorities and external professionals
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation across provision
- Support successful transitions for young people into education, training and employment
- Prepare the school for inspection and ensure compliance with statutory requirements
- Contribute to policy and planning
Who We Are Looking For
- An experienced educational leader (Headteacher, Deputy/Assistant Head, or equivalent)
- A qualified teacher with significant experience in mainstream education, SEND or alternative provision
- A leader with relevant, research informed pedagogical knowledge
- A strong understanding of autism, trauma-informed practice and mental health or a willingness to undertake training to build on your current SEND knowledge
- Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire staff
- A leader with emotional intelligence and a growth mindset
- A collaborative and reflective practitioner to work within a multi-disciplinary model
- A strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into impactful practice
- Commitment to inclusive, child-centred and outcomes-focused education
- A leader who is able to demonstrate a knowledge or be willing to develop an understanding of Independent School Standards and SEND Code of Practice
- A leader who can manage young people whose behaviour, can at times, be dysregulated
- A leader that holds a full driving licence with access to a car for community visits
- A leader with IT competence
What We Offer
- A unique leadership opportunity to shape a new specialist school and lead an established alternative provision
- A highly collaborative environment, leading a talented team of professionals from both educational and clinical backgrounds
- Ongoing professional development and leadership support
- A values-driven organisation with a strong focus on wellbeing and staff support
- The opportunity to make a genuine, transformative impact on the lives of young people and their families
- Pension scheme and additional wellbeing benefits
· Closing Date: Thursday 16th July 2026
· Interview Date(s): Interviews to take place in August
· Job Start Date: January 2027 or earlier subject to availability
· Salary Type: Leadership Scale L12-18 based on experience plus employee benefit package
· Hours of Work: Permanent Full-Time
· Location: East Street Farm, Pitmore Lane, Sway, Lymington, SO41 6BX
For further details on the role, please contact Sandy Teal: [email protected] or 01590 626541
Enquiries and visits are welcome
For application forms and a copy of the job description, please email [email protected] or see the vacancies page of our website www.mindsenseability.co.uk
Completed applications and enquires about the recruitment process should be sent to [email protected]
MindSenseAbility is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Pay: £65,286.00-£78,702.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
