About This Role
Headteacher – Founding Leader of a New Independent School
A Rare and Exceptional Leadership Opportunity
AppleCast is developing an exciting new independent school at the inspirational AppleCast site. We are seeking a highly inspirational, motivated, and visionary Headteacher to lead this school from its foundation. This is a distinctive, career‑defining opportunity for an exceptional leader who is passionate about creating a school where children’s needs, rights, and aspirations are at the heart of every decision.
As our Headteacher working with trustees you will pioneer a model that seamlessly blends high-quality academic standards with a unique, "outdoor and practical" ethos. The charity has 20 years of a successful Alternative Provision working with ASC pupils to create a positive platform for progression.
Our Vision: Education Reimagined
The new school will offer pupils a bespoke, personalised curriculum that blends academic ambition with practical, outdoor, and therapeutic experiences. Set within a tranquil environment featuring animal care, angling facilities, horticulture, and vocational workshops, the school will champion the ethos of “Thinking and Learning Differently.”
We pride ourselves on a bespoke approach to learning, deeply understanding each individual’s needs to unlock their full potential.
Your Mission as Founding Headteacher
As the first Headteacher, you will:
- Establish a culture of high aspiration, inclusion, and wellbeing.
- Ensure children’s wellbeing, safety, and voice are prioritised.
- Partner with our Trustees and Senior Leader to lead the strategic development and registration of the school, ensuring total compliance with Independent School Standards.
- Curriculum Innovation: Design and embed an ambitious, therapeutic curriculum that weaves literacy and numeracy into hands-on experiences such as horticulture, animal husbandry, angling, and conservation.
- Recruit, lead, mentor, and inspire a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to supporting pupils with SEMH, ASD, and complex communication needs.
- Serve as a high-profile ambassador within the Borough’s SEND Partnership, forging strong bonds with parents and local authorities
Who We Are Looking For
We need a visionary leader who breathes the rural, hands-on ethos of our charity. You must possess the confidence to articulate a bold future to our Board of Trustees, looking far beyond the traditional classroom to transform our eco-site into a world-class therapeutic learning environment.
As a seasoned SEND professional, you will bring the professional knowledge required to navigate the complexities of a school start-up, balanced with the heart to ensure our outdoor-led tutoring remains child-centred at all times.
We are looking for a Headteacher who is:
- Visionary, inspiring, and courageous.
- Passionate and child‑centred.
- Experienced in educational leadership.
- Skilled in developing new schools or leading major change.
- Emotionally intelligent and resilient.
- Collaborative and community‑minded.
- Expert in SEND practice and inclusive pedagogy.
Essential Requirements:
Proven Leadership
Experience as a Headteacher or Deputy within a specialist SEN or Independent School.
Launch Experience
Ideally, a track record in new school registrations or significant school improvement projects.
Specialist Expertise
Deep mastery of ASC, SEMH, and trauma-informed practice.
Qualifications
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a relevant degree.
Core Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality, engaging lessons aligned to the required curriculum.
- Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment for diverse learners.
- Assess student progress rigorously and provide timely, constructive feedback.
- Participate actively in broader school life, including extra-curricular programs.
- Collaborate with departmental colleagues to elevate instructional strategies.
Candidate Requirements
- A recognized teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, QTS, or equivalent).
- A minimum of 2 years verifiable post-qualification teaching experience.
- Demonstrable track record of excellent student outcomes.
- A bachelor's degree directly related to your teaching specialization.
- Clear criminal record check spanning the last 10 years of residency.