Barnet Special Education Trust

  • Assistant Head -Primary Department, The Windmill School

    Overview

    We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to lead our Primary Department within our all-age autism-specific school. We welcome applications from those new to leadership or seeking a first role in leadership as well as more experienced leaders. 

    This is a key strategic and operational role for an experienced SEND practitioner who understands that autism-specific education is not a simplified mainstream model, but a carefully designed, highly personalised curriculum built around an inside-out knowledge of autism and education.  

    The successful candidate will provide leadership across our Primary provision, ensuring that our curriculum is responsive to the complex and diverse needs of our autistic pupils. You will have a drive to deliver outcomes for our pupils that are meaningful and based on a strengths-based curriculum model.  

    As part of Barnet Special Education Trust, The Windmill School is dedicated to delivering exceptional education and care for autistic pupils. The Windmill School follows a highly autism specialist curriculum that closely aligns with the Primary National Curriculum. Our primary setting provides a supportive and innovative environment where both children and staff can thrive. 

     About the role: You will lead the Primary phase of this all-age autism specific school, ensuring high quality teaching and progression. You will oversee the transition of all pupils who move into the school and ensure curriculum pathways are developmentally appropriate, autism-informed and outcome-focused. You will be accountable for preparing pupils for statutory assessments, including KS1 and KS2 SATs and the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, with all necessary adaptations and access arrangements. You will monitor progress using appropriate assessment systems for autistic learners to prepare for analysis by the wider leadership team, Governing board and Trustees.  

     

    Personal attributes

    You will be a key member of the senior leadership team, driving high standards and positive outcomes for all. 

     We are looking for: 
  • QTS 
  • An experienced and outstanding autism specialist with primary experience. 
  • A leader who combines strategic thinking, expertise in curriculum development and assessment systems in a special school and a calm, relational leadership style, and who is committed to improving outcomes for autistic learners. 
  • Ability to promote, embed and evaluate research-led practice, particularly in relation to autism-specific pedagogy and inclusive curriculum design 
  • Experience of leading or supporting professional learning communities or structured staff development programmes 
  • Understanding of ethical, strengths-based approaches to autism that uphold dignity, identity and wellbeing 
  • A leader who will ensure the primary curriculum is developmentally appropriate, autism-informed and outcome-focused 
  • Ability to influence whole-school culture so that policies and practice consistently reflect autism-affirming values 
  • Experience of working collaboratively with families and multi-disciplinary professionals to support personalised planning 
  • Someone passionate about inclusion and supporting young people to achieve their best 

This could suit a colleague ready to step into their first leadership role and make an impact  

Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Salary & Benefits

Salary from £59859 to £67177 per year

We offer: 

  • A supportive and collaborative team environment 
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development through our links with research institutions 
  • The chance to make a real difference to the lives of autistic young people and their families 
  • A well-resourced school with a clear commitment to inclusive education with autism at the core.  
  • High quality CPD delivered by autistic scholars  

Location

The Windmill School
Moxon Street
Barnet
Herts
EN5 5TS

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

Please download and complete the Application Form in the supporting documents and return it to vacancies@bsentrust.org by 11th May (5pm). Please also submit a personalised (i.e. not generic AI ) accompanying letter detailing why you are suited to this role (referencing the JD and person specification) and giving detailed information of your experience of working with autistic learners. Alternatively, you can apply for this post via DFE Vacancies and TES. 

Equal opportunities

Equality Policy

 

Job reference: 2026/15

 






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