SEN Headteacher

Headteacher – Aurora Fairway School   

Location: St Ives, Cambridge

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Annual Salary: L14 £71,330  to £78,702 L18  (depending on skills and experience)

This role is to start ideally February 2026

Close date: 22nd October at 5pm 

Aurora Fairway 

Aurora Fairway School is a specialist day school for students aged 11–16 with complex learning needs, including SEMH, autism, and speech, language and communication difficulties. Opened in September 2022, our school is part of the innovative Aurora Group, which provides education and care for children, young people and adults with SEND across England.

We offer a nurturing, therapeutic environment where every student is supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

This is a unique opportunity to join us as our new Headteacher and lead our growing school into its next exciting chapter.

Take a virtual tour of our school Here or come and visit us in person—visits are very welcome and we’d love to show you around and talk to you about this post. 

The Role:

As Headteacher, you will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and care. You’ll be responsible for the school’s operational and educational performance, financial management, and the development of a passionate, skilled team.

We’re looking for a leader who is:

• A champion for students with complex needs
• A confident communicator and collaborator
• A strategic thinker with a fast paced, hands-on approach
• Committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for every learner

Experience & Qualifications:  

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and ideally NPQH (or willingness to obtain)
• Proven experience as a Headteacher within a specialist school environment
• Up to date knowledge of current DfE guidance including Independent Schools Standards (ISS)
• Knowledge and understanding of SLD and ASD issues
• Up to date knowledge of local and national government initiatives and legislation
• Quality assurance experience (such as lesson observations and performance management)
• Strong and effective leadership qualities
• Superb communication and stakeholder management skills
• A clear understanding of Ofsted frameworks and Safeguarding legislation in relation to independent schools.

Ready to lead with purpose?
Apply now and be part of something truly special.

What’s on offer?

• Training and Development

Within Aurora, we strongly believe that learning and development should not be limited to just the children and young people we support.  We offer wide range of programmes and opportunities to all our employees to improve your skills and further your career. 

• Save money on your bills!!

With the cost of living rising we have a fantastic benefit through Perkbox to help with cutting costs and help make your money go further.  Perkbox is a free app for you to use on the go wherever you are.  You can get deals and discounts to save money on things like your weekly food bill, phone plans, internet, eating out, gym memberships, insurance and more.  You can also use Perkbox for our cycle to work scheme and car scheme. 

• Competitive Pay and Reward

Every year we compare the market rates of pay and rewards to insure they are comparable or better to other similar organisations.  We also offer Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Enhanced Pension and Life Assurance.

• UK Health Cash Plan

This plan can help cover your day to day healthcare expenditure such as optician and dental bills.  You and your children are covered on this plan and you can also choose to upgrade and add a partner to enjoy the benefits with you.

• Employee Assistance Programme

Your health and wellbeing is very important to us and we have support available on a wide variety of issues, helping you with online tools, information and via a freephone counselling service available 24/7. 

• Refer a friend for £1,000

We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (*terms apply)

How to apply?

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details.  If you need any assistance or would like any more information please contact Karen in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at karen.barnfield@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.