Assistant Headteacher/DSL
| Posting date: | 06 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Up to £48,000 per annum depending on experience |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 January 2026 |
| Location: | Riseley, Reading |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 299736FAJ |
Summary
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
This is your opportunity to help shape something truly special at Riseley Green School, our brand-new specialist school that opened in May 2025 in Riseley, Reading, Berkshire.
With capacity for 60 pupils aged 4–16 years, we support children and young people with autism (ASC) and complex needs — providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where every learner can thrive.
Job title: Assistant Headteacher/DSL
Location: Riseley Green School, Riseley, Reading, Berkshire RG7 1QF
Salary: Up to £48,000 per year depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am-4:30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available
Are you ready to play a defining role in a brand-new specialist school? Riseley Green School is opening its doors as part of the growing Options Autism family, and we are looking for an inspirational Assistant Headteacher / DSL to help shape the school’s culture, systems, and future from the very beginning.
This is a rare opportunity to help create an inclusive, nurturing, and aspirational environment where safeguarding, wellbeing, and high-quality SEND provision sit at the heart of everything we do.
About the Role
This pivotal leadership role is ideal for an experienced SEN professional who thrives on impact, collaboration, and innovation. Working closely with the Headteacher, teaching teams, and our in-house therapy services, you will lead outstanding safeguarding and SEND practice while contributing to whole-school improvement.
You’ll balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement, including some PPA cover, ensuring you remain closely connected to classroom practice and pupils’ daily experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of pupil safety and wellbeing
Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils and families
Lead and oversee all EHCP processes, ensuring clarity, quality, and impact
Manage and support smooth transitions into, within, and beyond the school
Coach and support staff to adapt teaching for complex and diverse SEND needs
Work collaboratively with teachers and therapists to embed a strong graduated approach
Oversee meaningful baselining, assessment, and progress tracking
Shape, deliver, and review the school’s SEND improvement plan
Analyse whole-school trends to continuously refine provision
Champion staff development through targeted training and high-quality CPD
Ensure access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, and equality duties are met
Work closely with behaviour and wellbeing teams to maintain a calm, supportive environment
Maintain accurate, compliant SEND records across the school
Provide PPA cover as part of weekly responsibilities
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
SENCo qualification
Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
Commitment to personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil well-being
What We’re Looking For
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Proven experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
A child-centred, collaborative approach with safeguarding at the core
Passion for personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil wellbeing
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who believes in the potential of every child and wants to make a lasting difference within a specialist SEN school.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
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.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
Cycle to Work Schemes
Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
#1
This is your opportunity to help shape something truly special at Riseley Green School, our brand-new specialist school that opened in May 2025 in Riseley, Reading, Berkshire.
With capacity for 60 pupils aged 4–16 years, we support children and young people with autism (ASC) and complex needs — providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where every learner can thrive.
Job title: Assistant Headteacher/DSL
Location: Riseley Green School, Riseley, Reading, Berkshire RG7 1QF
Salary: Up to £48,000 per year depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am-4:30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available
Are you ready to play a defining role in a brand-new specialist school? Riseley Green School is opening its doors as part of the growing Options Autism family, and we are looking for an inspirational Assistant Headteacher / DSL to help shape the school’s culture, systems, and future from the very beginning.
This is a rare opportunity to help create an inclusive, nurturing, and aspirational environment where safeguarding, wellbeing, and high-quality SEND provision sit at the heart of everything we do.
About the Role
This pivotal leadership role is ideal for an experienced SEN professional who thrives on impact, collaboration, and innovation. Working closely with the Headteacher, teaching teams, and our in-house therapy services, you will lead outstanding safeguarding and SEND practice while contributing to whole-school improvement.
You’ll balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement, including some PPA cover, ensuring you remain closely connected to classroom practice and pupils’ daily experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of pupil safety and wellbeing
Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils and families
Lead and oversee all EHCP processes, ensuring clarity, quality, and impact
Manage and support smooth transitions into, within, and beyond the school
Coach and support staff to adapt teaching for complex and diverse SEND needs
Work collaboratively with teachers and therapists to embed a strong graduated approach
Oversee meaningful baselining, assessment, and progress tracking
Shape, deliver, and review the school’s SEND improvement plan
Analyse whole-school trends to continuously refine provision
Champion staff development through targeted training and high-quality CPD
Ensure access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, and equality duties are met
Work closely with behaviour and wellbeing teams to maintain a calm, supportive environment
Maintain accurate, compliant SEND records across the school
Provide PPA cover as part of weekly responsibilities
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
SENCo qualification
Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
Commitment to personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil well-being
What We’re Looking For
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Proven experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
A child-centred, collaborative approach with safeguarding at the core
Passion for personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil wellbeing
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who believes in the potential of every child and wants to make a lasting difference within a specialist SEN school.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
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.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
Cycle to Work Schemes
Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
#1