Assistant Headteacher

Role Description

Assistant Headteacher  

Cambian New Elizabethan School, Kidderminster

40 hours per week, term time

Salary of up to £54,849.60 DOE

Cambian New Elizabethan School is a day school that offers outstanding opportunities for students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, communication difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour. We are a supportive, collaborative school with 50 pupils, where every member of staff can make a significant impact.

Purpose of the Role - To lead on either:

Raising achievement and progress across the school through effective assessment, teaching, and staff development. The postholder will ensure that all pupils make sustained progress through high-quality teaching, robust assessment, and a culture of professional excellence among staff.
Inclusion across the school, ensuring that all pupils receive high-quality, personalised education and support. The postholder will act as the school’s SENDCO, leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of inclusive practices that promote equality, access, and achievement for all learners.

Position A) Student achievement, and staff development Lead responsibilities

• 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

Position B) SENDCO & Inclusion Lead Responsibilities

• 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 and 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 approach to pupil support.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions and support plans 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.

Core Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• 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.
• To take on a teaching responsibility as required

Leadership and Management

• 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.

Teaching and Learning

• 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.

Staff Development and Performance

• 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.

Person Specification

• 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 proven experience in leading 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.

What we offer:

• Supportive leadership and mentoring
• Ongoing CPD and training in SEND pedagogy
• Opportunities to help 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 we are committed to safeguarding and protecting the 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. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will be purely based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share the information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.