Senior Leader – SEND

Experienced Senior Leader – SEND / School Improvement Autumn Term

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Leader for a placement within a mainstream, school, providing immediate leadership and driving improvements across SEND provision, teaching and learning, and staff performance.

This is an opportunity for a confident, hands‑on leader who can hit the ground running, work independently and deliver impact from day one. The successful candidate will have substantial senior leadership experience, a strong understanding of SEND and the confidence to challenge underperformance, hold staff accountable and implement effective improvements with minimal supervision.

• SEND Leadership & Compliance:
  Lead and oversee SEND provision, including SENCO annual reviews, EHCP applications and ensuring pupils’ needs are appropriately identified, supported and reviewed.
• Quality Assurance:
  Conduct book looks, learning walks, lesson observations and other quality assurance activities to evaluate teaching standards, pupil progress and classroom practice.
• Staff Performance Management:
  Monitor staff performance, address underperformance, hold colleagues accountable and deliver clear, constructive feedback, including difficult conversations where necessary.
• Teaching & Learning:
  Identify areas for improvement and implement practical strategies to strengthen teaching quality, classroom management, pupil engagement and learning outcomes.
• Leadership & School Improvement:
  Provide decisive, hands‑on leadership, taking ownership of priorities and driving improvements across the school.
• Staff Support & Accountability:
  Challenge inconsistent practice, establish clear expectations and ensure staff understand and meet their professional responsibilities.
• Independent Working:
  Operate confidently with minimal direction or supervision, using professional judgement and extensive leadership experience to resolve issues and maintain momentum.

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a school or educational setting.
• Strong knowledge and experience of SEND leadership, including EHCP processes and SENCO annual reviews.
• Demonstrable experience of quality assurance, monitoring teaching and learning, and driving school improvement.
• Confidence managing staff performance, challenging underperformance and holding colleagues accountable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make an immediate impact.

• Duration:
  Autumn term - potentially ongoing
• Start:
  As soon as possible
• Position:
  Senior leadership cover.
• Ideal Candidate:
  An established, experienced school leader who can take ownership immediately and deliver measurable improvements without requiring extensive support or development.
• This role is ideally suited to an experienced Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Head of School or senior SEND leader with a proven track record of driving improvement, strengthening provision and managing staff performance