Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion)

Colfe's School; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Colfe's School seeks to appoint an exceptional educational leader for the senior role of Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion). This strategic, school-wide position shapes provision for pupils with learning differences from Nursery to Sixth Form, focusing on the senior setting, Y7–13.

The successful candidate will combine educational expertise, strategic vision, sound judgment and professional authority to support pupils, staff and families while upholding high academic ambition and inclusive

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of learning support provision from ages 3 to 18.
• Advise the Head, Governors and Senior Management Team on SEND, inclusion and learning support.
• Ensure learning support provision aligns with school aims and priorities.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement planning and inspection readiness.
• Oversee access arrangements and examination accommodations.
• Lead the deployment and development of Learning Support Teams and Teaching Assistants.
• Coordinate pupil support plans and maintain oversight of pupils receiving learning support.

Skills

Leadership experience

SEND expertise

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Judgement & decision-making

Education

Qualification in SEND leadership

Job description

Assistant Head (Director of Inclusion)

Reporting to: Deputy Head, Teaching and Learning (Senior School)

Contract: Full time, Permanent

Status: Assistant Head level, sitting on the Deputies team

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

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.

Purpose of the Role

To provide strategic leadership for learning support and inclusion across the school, ensuring that:

• 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

Key Responsibilities

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

The Asst Head (Director of Inclusion) will serve as the school's lead professional adviser regarding reasonable adjustments and will be expected to exercise sound professional judgement and provide clarity in situations where competing interests or expectations exist.

Compliance, Inspection and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with:

1. Equality Act 2010
2. SEND Code of Practice
3. JCQ regulations
4. Independent School Standards
5. 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

Person Specification

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

Why This Role Matters

Colfe's believes that inclusion and ambition are complementary, not competing, principles. The Asst Head (Director of Inclusion) will help ensure that pupils receive the support they need while developing the independence, resilience and confidence required to flourish both in school and beyond. This role represents a significant investment in educational excellence, pupil wellbeing and the long-term development of the school.

Colfe s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.