Assistant Headteacher

Summary:

Join a school as an Assistant Headteacher and help drive outstanding education for children with complex needs.

About the School:

A school dedicated to providing exceptional education for children and young people with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and autism. The school fosters a supportive, inclusive environment and continuously enhances its facilities and curriculum.

The Opportunity:

As an Assistant Headteacher, you will play a strategic role in shaping the school’s vision and improving outcomes for pupils with complex needs. This is a leadership position that will influence teaching, learning, and pastoral care across the school, with a focus on inclusion, safeguarding, and curriculum development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in school improvement, contributing to whole-school direction and decision-making.
• Lead high-quality teaching and learning for pupils with MLD, SLD, and PMLD, including pre-formal, semi-formal, and formal curriculum pathways.
• Oversee personalised learning approaches, sensory-based provision, and specialist communication strategies.
• Support behaviour culture with empathy, consistency, and data-driven strategies.
• Play a key role in safeguarding, attendance, and pastoral care systems, ensuring strong multi-agency collaboration.
• Work closely with families to provide sensitive support through complex circumstances 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 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 and access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Comprehensive induction programme and ongoing CPD, including specialist SEN training
• Paid wellbeing days, free flu vaccinations, on-site parking, and flexible working options