17 April
New head opts for quality over quantity
When Clare Harris took over as Headteacher of Aurora Wilden View in January she went from running a mainstream secondary with 1,200 pupils to a specialist school with just 64 young learners.
And though still in her first term at the Hartlebury school, in Worcestershire, Clare is already relishing the opportunity to make a difference to our young people’s lives.
“It was a massive leap,” she said, regarding her new role, “but I’m really glad I made the move”.
Prior to joining Aurora, Clare was Headteacher at Perryfields Academy in Oldbury where she was responsible for the education and wellbeing of 1,200 pupils.
She said: “There was quite a significant proportion of our students with additional needs who I felt were being let down by the mainstream system.”
As a result, the former history teacher said she gradually became more frustrated by the lack of adequate provision available to pupils with SEND in her school as well as the long delays parents were experiencing in getting EHCPs for their children.
“I felt that during the time it took for the process to grind towards an outcome, the young people were being failed by the national lack of funding for SEND, resulting in the youngsters not receiving the support they needed,” said Clare.
So, after years working in a mainstream education setting, and with her frustration growing, Clare decided the time was right for a change.
"I wanted to be somewhere where I felt I could help make a difference to children’s lives." Clare Harris, Headteacher
"I had reached a point in my career when I felt if I didn’t make a move into specialist education now, I never would.” said Clare.
So, when Wilden View advertised for a new headteacher in summer 2025, Clare’s interest was piqued and she decided to throw her hat into the ring, out of curiosity as much as anything else.
“I wasn’t seriously looking for another role but I did receive an invitation to visit the school and I was immediately blown away by the students,” she said.
“Although I started as a history teacher more than 20 years ago, over my 12 years in senior leadership, I’ve become very passionate about SEND education so coming to a school like Wilden View seemed to me a natural step.
“I’ve had to adapt to the pace of the school, which is clearly designed to meet the pupils’ needs. In order to grow, they need time and space, in a safe environment, something that is not often available in a large mainstream school.
“The staff here are great. They are clearly very passionate and skilled at what they do and they know the pupils inside out. There’s a warmth and nurturing ethos that flows through the school.
“Regardless of their starting point, I’d like to make sure the pupils are given the opportunities they deserve and the quality of education they need to grow both personally and academically. If we’re able to equip them with the skills they need to forge bright futures in the real world then I think we would have succeeded.”
