Assistant Headteacher

Include | St Matthews are looking for an Assistant Headteacher to lead on Behaviour, Personal Development and Wellbeing at our therapeutic special school in Darley Abbey. This is a leadership role with a part-time teaching commitment attached, so you'll stay connected to the classroom while shaping how the whole school supports pupils with SEMH needs and Autism.

You'll be working within a trauma-informed, relational approach, deputising for the Headteacher, and leading a staff team who are genuinely invested in getting this right for pupils who haven't always had it easy elsewhere.

You'll oversee behaviour, attendance, personal development and pastoral support, making sure they work together rather than as separate boxes to tick. Alongside that, you'll teach part of the week, model good practice for other staff, and line manage a team of teachers and middle leaders. You'll also support the SENDCo with pupils who have EHCPs (this role doesn't hold day-to-day SEND coordination), and you may act as DSL or Deputy DSL, subject to training.

QTS and a degree, plus at least three years of solid classroom experience. You'll need to have led some aspect of school improvement before, and have experience managing or developing staff. We're looking for someone values-driven, resilient under pressure, and genuinely warm with pupils — someone who puts their wellbeing and sense of belonging first, not just their behaviour data.

A relevant leadership qualification (NPQSL or NPQH) or NASENCO is a bonus, not a requirement. So is experience with attendance systems, personal development programmes, or supporting pupils who've struggled with emotionally based school non-attendance.

• small class groups, so you can really get to know your pupils and give them the attention they need
• A flexible approach to teaching and behaviour support, built around what actually works for each child
• Shorter teaching hours than typical mainsteam timetable, giving you more time to plan, reflect and recharge
• Full training and ongoing support in trauma-informed-practice - SEMH/SEND experience isn't essential
• A warm, collaborative staff team genuinely invested in your development

We warmly welcome visits from interested candidates, or an informal chat about the role, before you apply.

Include Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, prohibition checks, satisfactory references, and safer recruitment vetting in line with statutory guidance.