Assistant Head Oak Lodge School

What skills and experience we're looking for

Oak Lodge School are looking for an Assistant Head to lead personal development for learners with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. The role involves shaping whole‑school strategy as part of a small Senior Leadership Team and designing innovative work‑experience and enrichment programmes that support strong post‑19 outcomes and help students move toward meaningful, fulfilling futures.

You’ll be responsible for designing and delivering an accessible work‑experience programme tailored to our students’ needs, leading our enrichment and clubs provision to ensure inclusive and engaging opportunities, overseeing intervention groups and educational visits, and ensuring excellent post‑19 outcomes through effective preparation‑for‑adulthood planning. You will also support staff development in SEND best practice—including autism, communication approaches and adaptive teaching—while embedding positive regulation support across the school through proactive strategies, de‑escalation techniques, SCERTS and trauma‑informed practice.

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience working with young people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs, alongside strong skills in person‑centred planning and multidisciplinary collaboration. You should have a deep understanding of communication, sensory and regulatory needs, as well as a commitment to inclusive practice, high expectations and an empathetic, resilient and flexible approach. Essential knowledge includes supporting student regulation, alternative communication methods, and SEND legislation, with experience—or a strong interest—in work‑experience, enrichment or preparation‑for‑adulthood programmes. Desirable qualities include experience in a secondary special school and specialist qualifications in autism, learning disabilities or therapeutic approaches.

What the school offers its staff

This role offers the opportunity to shape whole‑school strategy as part of a small, dynamic Senior Leadership Team, leading innovative work‑experience and enrichment programmes designed for learners with SEND and making a meaningful impact on post‑19 outcomes and life chances.

You’ll work in a person‑centred environment with high staff‑to‑student ratios, supported by excellent professional development through Barnet Special Education Trust’s network of SEND specialists.

We offer a collaborative and supportive leadership team, extensive professional development opportunities, a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, and the chance to contribute to a rewarding, inclusive school community where every achievement is celebrated.

Further details about the role

Please do visit our websites to gain a more in depth understanding of our school and our Trust

Commitment to safeguarding

Barnet Special Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offer of a position is subject to receiving satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS Clearance. An online search will be undertaken on all shortlisted candidates. This search does not form part of the shortlisting process and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues of concern that may arise from this search at the interview.