Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning - SEN)

Are you an innovative, high-performing educational leader passionate about driving pedagogical excellence and elevating learning outcomes for pupils with special educational needs?

We are currently partnering with a forward-thinking specialist SEN school near Fordham to recruit an outstanding, visionary Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning) on a full-time, permanent basis.

In this key senior leadership role, you will work alongside the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to lead on the strategic vision, design, and delivery of the school's curriculum and pedagogical framework. You will champion inclusive, highly differentiated teaching methods tailored to pupils with complex learning needs, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges-empowering classroom teachers and support staff to deliver exemplary, high-impact learning experiences every day.

• Position: Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning)

• Location: Near Fordham, Cambridgeshire

• Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

• Start Date: October Half Term / January Start Available

• Strategic Curriculum & Pedagogy: Lead the development, monitoring, and evaluation of an engaging, adaptive, and highly differentiated SEN curriculum that supports both academic progress and life-skills development.

• Instructional Leadership & CPD: Drive teaching standards across the school by designing and delivering high-quality internal CPD, coaching teaching staff, and embedding evidence-based SEN instructional strategies.

• Quality of Education: Lead the school's quality assurance framework-including lesson observations, learning walks, work scrutinies, and coaching cycles-to ensure outstanding teaching across all key stages.

• Assessment & Progress Tracking: Oversee robust, non-linear assessment systems tailored to SEN learners, tracking individual progress against EHCP targets and National Curriculum adaptations.

• SLT Contribution: Play a key role in whole-school strategic planning, self-evaluation (SEF), school development planning (SDP), and safeguarding governance.

• Staff Mentoring & Support: Line manage subject leads and classroom teachers, fostering a collaborative, supportive culture where staff feel valued and empowered to innovate.

• Qualifications:

  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS.

  • Evidence of relevant leadership development (e.g., NPQSL, NPQLT, or higher degree in SEN education) is highly desirable.

• Experience: Proven track record of outstanding classroom teaching and successful middle or senior leadership experience (e.g., Head of Department, Lead Practitioner, Assistant Head) within a specialist SEN school, alternative provision, or inclusive mainstream setting.

• Deep knowledge of specialist SEN pedagogy, curriculum adaptation, sensory integration strategies, and adapted assessment frameworks.

• Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills with the capability to inspire staff, lead change, and hold high expectations for pupil achievement.

• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

• Permanent Leadership Security: A stable, full-time contracted senior leadership role with long-term career growth.

• Competitive Salary: Leadership Pay Scale (L-Scale) reflective of your experience and specialist SEN leadership skills.

• Collaborative Working Environment: A supportive executive leadership group, well-resourced learning spaces, and a passionate staff body.

• Professional Development: Access to continuous executive mentoring, regional leadership networks, and accredited NPQ programmes.

Step into a deeply fulfilling, high-impact senior leadership role today.

How to Apply: Please forward your up-to-date CV and a brief covering letter outlining your teaching and learning leadership experience to [email removed] or call [phone removed] for a confidential discussion regarding this permanent position near Fordham.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.

experience

Teaching

skills

ability to track progression in attainment,background in youth work,behaviour management,building relationships,classroom management,communication,de-escalation techniques,empathy,experience in administering medication,experience in managing challenging behaviour,experience with autism spectrum disorders,experience with learning difficulties,experience with social emotional mental health,inclusiveness,manual handling,marking,mentor experience,personal care experience,planning,resilience,restraint training,speech and language therapy experience