Headteacher - Abingdon House School Senior & Prep

About Abingdon House School is a leading independent specialist school in London, renowned for its nurturing, ambitious and highly individualised approach to education. Supporting pupils with autism and specific learning differences, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and associated needs, the school provides an inclusive environment where every child is known, valued and empowered to thrive. With small class sizes, expert teaching and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, Abingdon House enables pupils to develop confidence, resilience and a genuine love of learning, while achieving excellent academic and personal outcomes. The school is distinguished by its warm and collaborative culture, where innovation in teaching and learning is matched by a deep commitment to pastoral care. Staff are passionate advocates for neurodiversity and work closely with families to ensure that each pupil is supported to reach their full potential. Located across vibrant London campuses, Abingdon House School combines specialist expertise with high expectations, preparing pupils not only for academic success, but also for happy, fulfilled and independent futures. Role Purpose The Headteacher will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction across the school, working closely with an experienced and high performing senior team. This role is essential in ensuring a cohesive and consistent educational experience, maintaining high academic standards, and overseeing the school's operational and financial performance. The Headteacher will cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and foster strong, collaborative relationships with staff, students, parents, and the wider community. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership and direction to the senior team, ensure alignment of the school development plan with the school's strategic vision, and promote professional development for all staff.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for academic excellence and holistic student development, ensuring a high-quality, inclusive education across the school.
• Work closely with the Managing Director, Board of Governors, and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure alignment on key initiatives and overall school performance.
• Act as a Governor for a number of Cavendish schools within the group, under the guidance of the Chair of Governors.
Operational & Financial Oversight
• In collaboration with the school Bursar, set and manage the school's budget. Ensure sound financial planning and resource allocation, to monitor costs and align spending with strategic priorities.
• Lead the preparation of termly Head Teacher's Report, ensuring data-driven decision-making that reflects student performance, operational effectiveness, and long-term goals.
Admissions & Parental Engagement
• Work closely with the Admissions Lead, ensuring effective student recruitment, with a focus on maintaining the school's distinctive ethos and nurturing environment.
• Engage with parents and represent the school at Open Evenings and other events, fostering positive relationships built on transparency and mutual respect.
Staff Development & Employment
• Oversee the development, performance, and wellbeing of staff members, particularly Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Ensure rigorous and supportive appraisal processes, and handle complex employment matters, such as dismissals, probation extensions, and contractual decisions.
• Promote continuous professional development across the staff body, ensuring high standards of teaching and leadership.
Facilities & Expansion
• Work with the school business manager, site manager and external stakeholders on facility management, including any potential lease negotiations and building expansion.
• Manage capital expenditure projects, liaising with contractors to ensure timely and budget-conscious completion of building works.
SEND Oversight
• Oversee and guide the Therapeutic provision within school, ensuring a unified strategy across the school and compliance with regulatory standards.
Examinations
• Serve as the Head of the Exam Centre, ensuring compliance with examination regulations and overseeing all processes related to external assessments, results, and appeals.
Event Management & Representation
• Lead and represent the school at key events such as Christmas plays, school shows and external exhibitions, such as the Independent Schools Show/Autism Show.
• Act as an ambassador for Abingdon House School and Cavendish Education, strengthening its reputation within the independent school community and beyond.
Collaboration Across Schools
• Ensure effective collaboration between schools across the Cavendish Family of Schools, contributing proactively to development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure Abingdon House School is an outward facing school who share their expertise wider than the school gate.
Key Skills & Attributes
• Visionary Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team across the school while fostering a culture of high expectations and achievement.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to envision and articulate what long-term growth and success looks like for Abingdon House School.
• Financial Acumen: Proven experience managing budgets, aligning financial decisions with strategic goals, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and all external partners.
• Educational Expertise: Deep understanding of curriculum development and effective, evidence based pedagogical practices. A high level of understanding of what outstanding autism practice is and how to implement it.
• Decisive Leadership: Confidence in making high-level decisions, particularly in staffing, governance, and operational matters.
Personal Attributes
• Ethos Alignment: Commitment to the school's ethos of inclusivity, diversity, and support for students with autism and additional needs.
• Integrity: High levels of self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence and personal and professional integrity.
• Collaborative Nature: Willingness to engage in collaborative leadership while maintaining focus on the school's strategic objectives.
Experience
• Able to demonstrate success in school leadership roles, such as Head or Deputy Head, with a proven track record in managing diverse teams and driving school improvement.
• Broad understanding of the independent school sector and the ability to lead within a rapidly changing educational landscape.
This job description is not contractual or exhaustive but reflects the type and range of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes associated with the role. The post holder will be expected to also complete any tasks, as requested by the Managing Director. Safer Recruitment & Safeguarding Statement Cavendish Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and verification of qualifications and right to work in the UK. We promote diversity and equal opportunities, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. If you would like to have a confidential conversation about this role, please contact: monika@regroup.consulting Closing Date: Sunday 28th June 2026 Applications to be sent to: monika@regroup.consulting Please download the Cavendish application form on Tes and applications must be sent to Monika@regroup.consulting to be considered. Interviews w/c: 29th June 2026


• Visionary Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team across the school while fostering a culture of high expectations and achievement.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to envision and articulate what long-term growth and success looks like for Abingdon House School.
• Financial Acumen: Proven experience managing budgets, aligning financial decisions with strategic goals, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and all external partners.
• Educational Expertise: Deep understanding of curriculum development and effective, evidence based pedagogical practices. A high level of understanding of what outstanding autism practice is and how to implement it.
• Decisive Leadership: Confidence in making high-level decisions, particularly in staffing, governance, and operational matters.
Personal Attributes
• Ethos Alignment: Commitment to the school's ethos of inclusivity, diversity, and support for students with autism and additional needs.
• Integrity: High levels of self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence and personal and professional integrity.
• Collaborative Nature: Willingness to engage in collaborative leadership while maintaining focus on the school's strategic objectives.
Experience
• Able to demonstrate success in school leadership roles, such as Head or Deputy Head, with a proven track record in managing diverse teams and driving school improvement.
• Broad understanding of the independent school sector and the ability to lead within a rapidly changing educational landscape.
This job description is not contractual or exhaustive but reflects the type and range of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes associated with the role. The post holder will be expected to also complete any tasks, as requested by the Managing Director.

Abingdon House School is a leading independent specialist school in London, renowned for its nurturing, ambitious and highly individualised approach to education. Supporting pupils with autism and specific learning differences, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and associated needs, the school provides an inclusive environment where every child is known, valued and empowered to thrive. With small class sizes, expert teaching and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, Abingdon House enables pupils to develop confidence, resilience and a genuine love of learning, while achieving excellent academic and personal outcomes. The school is distinguished by its warm and collaborative culture, where innovation in teaching and learning is matched by a deep commitment to pastoral care. Staff are passionate advocates for neurodiversity and work closely with families to ensure that each pupil is supported to reach their full potential. Located across vibrant London campuses, Abingdon House School combines specialist expertise with high expectations, preparing pupils not only for academic success, but also for happy, fulfilled and independent futures.