Assistant Headteacher

Summary:

Assistant Headteacher job opportunity with a focus on leadership and education in a special needs setting.

About the School:

A school committed to providing inclusive, high-quality education for children with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex needs. It operates across two sites with mainstream partners, offering innovative and therapeutic learning environments.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an Assistant Headteacher to join our Leadership Team and help drive our vision of fostering a community where every learner is empowered and fully engaged in their journey towards independence, confidence, and success. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape the future of education for children with complex needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership across key areas of school improvement, contributing to whole-school direction and decision-making.
• Lead high-quality teaching and learning for pupils with MLD, SLD and PMLD, encompassing pre-formal, semi-formal and formal curriculum pathways.
• Oversee personalised learning approaches, sensory-based provision and specialist communication strategies (e.g. AAC, PECS).
• Support behaviour culture with empathy, consistency and ambition, using data to drive proactive approaches.
• Play a significant role in safeguarding, attendance and pastoral care systems, ensuring strong multi-agency collaboration.
• Work closely with families, offering sensitive support through complex circumstances, reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Lead, coach and support staff teams through line management, performance development and professional learning.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of EHCP outcomes, curriculum planning and accreditation routes.

Qualifications & Skills:

Required

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a relevant degree
• Strong, sustained professional development linked to SEND leadership
• In-depth understanding of the SEND Code of Practice (2015), including needs linked to MLD, SLD and PMLD
• Knowledge of safeguarding, including vulnerabilities associated with severe and profound needs and non-verbal pupils
• Experience of teaching pupils with complex needs, including medical, sensory and communication requirements
• Proven leadership experience in a specialist setting, including staff development and performance management

Preferred

• Experience contributing to behaviour, attendance or pastoral leadership
• Strong data analysis skills relating to behaviour, safeguarding and attendance
• Ability to communicate effectively with pupils who are non-verbal or have significant communication barriers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence working with healthcare teams, families and multi-agency partners

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Full induction programme and ongoing CPD, including specialist SEN training
• Flexible working options (part-time or job share considered)