Assistant Headteacher: SEND & Inclusion Lead

Role Description

Assistant Headteacher – Cambian New Elizabethan School, Kidderminster. 40 hours per week, term time. Salary up to £54,849.60 DOE.

A day school offering outstanding opportunities for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, communication difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour. The school has 50 pupils and fosters a supportive, collaborative environment where each staff member can make a significant impact.

Lead on either raising achievement and staff development or acting as SENDCO and inclusion lead.

• Leading strategies to raise achievement
• Target setting and interventions
• Celebrating pupil success
• Coordinating professional development programmes
• Mentoring and coaching staff
• Leading moderation and standardisation
• Promoting reflective practice and continuous improvement

• Oversee the identification, assessment and provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Ensure compliance with the SEND Code of Practice and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date SEND records.
• Coordinate and chair annual reviews, ensuring that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are implemented effectively.
• Lead and support staff in developing high‑quality differentiated teaching and learning strategies.
• Liaise with parents, carers and external professionals to ensure a collaborative support approach.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions on pupil progress and wellbeing.
• Champion inclusive practice across all areas of school life, ensuring equity of access and opportunity.
• Fulfil the role of SENCo as outlined in the SEND code of practice.

• Support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in delivering the school’s vision, values and strategic priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, reflective practice and professional growth.
• Contribute to whole‑school self‑evaluation, improvement planning and quality assurance processes.
• Promote a culture of high expectations, respect and understanding for all pupils.
• Take on a teaching responsibility as required.

• Line manage staff, supporting them to achieve high standards.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, performance management and retention of high‑quality staff.
• Lead professional development for staff.

• Lead initiatives to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes across the school.
• Model outstanding teaching and provide coaching, mentoring and feedback to staff.
• Support the development of differentiated and autism‑informed teaching strategies.

• Design and deliver a comprehensive professional development programme aligned with school priorities.
• Lead on performance management, ensuring that staff receive constructive feedback and clear development targets.
• Support Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and new staff through induction and mentoring.
• Foster a collaborative culture of peer observation, reflection and shared best practice.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with leadership experience and/or National Award for SEN Coordination.
• Proven track record of improving pupil outcomes and leading staff development or experience in SEND and inclusion.
• Strong understanding of autism and strategies for supporting autistic learners.
• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to inclusive education, safeguarding and professional excellence.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and continuous professional development.

• Supportive leadership and mentoring.
• Ongoing CPD and training in SEND pedagogy.
• Opportunities to shape and develop our curriculum.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Wellbeing support and staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Escape the mainstream exam factories and make a real difference.
• Opportunities to contribute to enrichment and life‑skills learning.

We pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities Employer and are committed to safeguarding and protecting young people and service users within our care. All candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and reference checks.

We will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates as part of a safeguarding check, ensuring suitability to work with children while maintaining bias and discrimination safeguards.