Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion)

COLFE'S SCHOOL; Lee; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

Colfe's School seeks to appoint an exceptional educational leader in this new senior role of Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion). This is a whole-school strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and leading provision for pupils with learning differences from Nursery to Sixth Form, with operational focus on Y7–13.

The Assistant Head will influence teaching, admissions, staff development, pastoral provision and school improvement, ensuring appropriate support, adaptive teaching and

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in SEND, inclusion or learning support.
• Deep knowledge of SEND legislation and current best practice.
• Strong understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and reasonable adjustments.
• Experience of EHCP and SEND funding in independent and/or maintained schools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of learning support provision from ages 3-18.
• Advise senior leaders on matters relating to SEND, inclusion and learning support.
• Ensure learning support provision aligns with the school's aims and priorities.
• Oversee teaching quality, staff development and whole-school improvement.

Skills

Excellent judgement and decision‑mak

Outstanding communication

Strong analytical skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Qualification in SEND leadership or related field

Job description

Colfe's School seeks to appoint an exceptional educational leader in this new senior role of Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion). This is a whole-school strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and leading provision for pupils with learning differences, additional needs and barriers to learning from Nursery to Sixth Form, although its operational focus will be on the senior setting, Y7 to 13. The successful candidate will combine educational expertise, strategic vision, sound judgment and professional authority. They will ensure that pupils are supported effectively while maintaining the school's commitment to academic ambition, independent learning and high expectations for all pupils. This is not a traditional SENCo role. The Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion) will be a senior leader with significant influence over teaching and learning, admissions, staff development, pastoral provision and school improvement.

• pupils receive appropriate and effective support
• teachers are equipped and accountable for delivering adaptive teaching
• reasonable adjustments are implemented consistently and proportionately
• admissions decisions are informed, transparent and sustainable
• resources are deployed effectively
• the school meets its statutory and regulatory obligations
• provision contributes positively to pupil outcomes and wellbeing

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic development of learning support provision from ages 3-18
• Advise the Head, Governors and Senior Management Team on all matters relating to SEND, inclusion and learning support
• Ensure that learning support provision reflects the school's educational aims and strategic priorities
• Contribute to whole-school improvement planning
• Benchmark provision against sector-leading practice

Admissions

• Develop robust systems for assessing support needs prior to admission
• Review applications across all entry points where SEND or significant learning support needs are identified and advise on the school's ability to meet individual needs
• Support transparent communication with families regarding likely provision and limitations

Authority for Reasonable Adjustments

• Ensure compliance with:
• Equality Act 2010
• SEND Code of Practice
• JCQ regulations
• Independent School Standards
• ISI inspection requirements
• Maintain robust systems and documentation
• Oversee access arrangements and examination accommodations
• Advise senior leaders regarding legal risk
• Contribute to inspection preparation and readiness

Leadership of Learning Support Teams

• Establish clear standards, expectations and accountability
• Evaluate staffing structures and deployment

Teaching and Learning / Staff Training

• Promote adaptive teaching as the primary means of supporting pupils
• Deliver training and share information to promote evidence-informed approaches to inclusion
• Monitor the quality and consistency of provision across departments and year groups

Teaching Assistant Deployment (Senior School)

• Review and oversee deployment of Teaching Assistants
• Oversee training of teaching staff in how best to use Teaching Assistants to support pupil progress
• Evaluate the impact of TA support on outcomes

Pupil Support

• Maintain oversight of pupils receiving learning support across the school
• Analyse attainment, progress and value-added data for pupils receiving learning support
• Ensure timely identification of need and monitor interventions and their effectiveness
• Coordinate support plans where required

Parent Partnership

• Build constructive and professional relationships with families
• Provide expert guidance where needs are complex
• Ensure regular communication with parents

Essential

• Significant leadership experience in SEND, inclusion or learning support
• Deep knowledge of SEND legislation and current best practice
• Strong understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and reasonable adjustments
• Experience of EHCP and SEND funding in independent and/or maintained schools
• Excellent judgement and decision-making skills
• Outstanding communication skills
• Strong analytical and organisational skills
• Emotional intelligence, resilience and credibility

Desirable

• Qualification in SEND leadership or related field
• Experience of whole-school leadership
• Experience of inspection preparation and regulatory compliance
• Experience within a high-performing independent or state school environment

Personal Qualities

• Able to balance compassion with professional boundaries
• Intellectually rigorous
• Pragmatic and solutions focused
• Highly organised
• Confident making difficult decisions
• Committed to high expectations for all pupils

Contract: Full time, Permanent

• Status: Assistant Head level, sitting on the Deputies team Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience