Chair of the Governing Body

Ambitious about Autism is looking for a highly motivated and passionate leader to Chair the Governing Body of Ambitious College. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact to help shape the future of this pioneering specialist college for autistic young people aged 16-25.

Applications close on Monday 16th December

Location: London over two Pear campuses – CONEL and West Thames

About Ambitious College.

Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting autistic young people. We provide a highly personalised curriculum, combining educational support with real-world experience through partnerships with businesses and community groups. Our two campuses, located within mainstream further education colleges, offer a unique environment where autistic learners can thrive. Rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ Behaviour and Attitudes by Ofsted, we are committed to delivering positive outcomes for every learner.

Our multidisciplinary team—teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, behaviour specialists, employment specialists, and more—works collaboratively to offer individualised support. Together, we are dedicated to delivering positive outcomes for every learner, including those progressing to employment through supported internships.

About the role.

As our current Chair of the Governing Body completes their term, we seek a successor to lead Ambitious College during a pivotal time. The new Chair will guide our strategic direction, ensuring the Governing Body contributes effectively to our mission and meets all educational responsibilities in line with Ambitious about Autism’s strategy. The Chair also plays a role on the organisation’s board-level Education and Care Committee, influencing decisions that ultimately shape the future of the College. While financial and property management falls outside the Governing Body’s remit, the Chair will be instrumental in overseeing the performance of the College in terms of quality, compliance with education and other requirements and stakeholder engagement.

You will work closely with governors, Ambitious about Autism’s Education and Care Committee, the Head of College, and the Executive Head, providing leadership during a significant period of growth, development, change and opportunity.

Who we are looking for.

We are looking for an experienced leader committed to supporting autistic young people. Our new Chair will have experience on a Governing Body or Trustee Board. This voluntary role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of autistic young people, and we are looking for someone who is inclusive and who engages effectively and sensitively.

The landscape of SEND funding presents unique challenges. Local authorities continue to experience increasing financial pressures, which impacts SEND provision. A Chair with an understanding of the wider SEND sector is therefore essential. This could be from a leadership, governance or policy role in SEND.

Time commitment

The Governing Body meets once a term, plus an annual strategy meeting.

As Chair of Ambitious College’s Governing Body, you will be a member of Ambitious about Autism’s Education and Care Committee, which meets termly, usually online for 2-3 hours. Each term, we have twilight governor training for 1-2 hours.

As Chair, we encourage you to visit the campuses and attend occasional events. We expect the time commitment to be the equivalent of one day a month. This includes preparing for meetings and ad hoc conversations with governors, the Head of the College, the Clerk to the Governing Body and the Executive Head.

This is a rewarding role with the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of autistic young people. If that speaks to you, then we’d love to hear from you.

Ambitious about Autism and Ambitious College is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on me.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Monday 16th December.