Assistant Headteacher — SEND School Leader

Salutem Care & Education; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance

Health & wellbeing resources

Wagestream pay

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Craig-Y-Parc School, part of Salutem Care & Education, seeks an Assistant Headteacher to work alongside the Headteacher to deliver outstanding provision for pupils with PMLD, ASD and other complex needs. You will lead on teaching, safeguarding, and curriculum development, supporting a supportive, inclusive environment and a strong school improvement agenda.

Role involves leading staff development, monitoring IEPs, collaborating with external professionals, and promoting effective communication

Qualifications

• Leadership across school teams and safeguarding practices.
• Experience supporting students with complex needs (PMLD, ASD).
• Ability to develop and monitor individualised education plans (IEPs).
• Collaborate with SLT and external partners to raise outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day and long-term school leadership alongside the Headteacher.
• Support staff in professional development and performance management.
• Drive curriculum development and inclusion for pupils with complex needs.
• Oversee safeguarding, welfare, and wellbeing across the pupil community.
• Foster strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Curriculum design

IEPs

Safeguarding

Parent comms

Job description

About The Company

We are looking for an Assistant Headteacher to join us and become part of our successful team, giving the very best support to our community every day. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an engaging and rewarding environment, supporting the learning of our young people with a range of complex needs and challenges, including PMLD and ASD pupils.

We are committed to providing an excellent education for all learners so that we can equip them with the skills and strategies to live as independent a life as possible in the future.At Craig y Parc you will find dedicated staff, warm and trusting relationships between adults and students, teachers who listen and make learning fun, an innovative curriculum, a tailored approach to the needs of students, positive engagement, students who go home happy, and a truly stunning learning environment.

In this role you will gain a wealth of experience, and we can offer a solid training package to help you flourish in your role. Most of all we offer a welcoming team environment where everyone’s contribution to the community is noticed and acknowledged.

Craig-Y-Parc School is a independent special school and part of Salutem Care and Education, who provide services across England and Wales supporting adults and children in residential and educational environments.

Set within its own beautiful grounds near Cardiff, Craig-Y-Parc School offers extensive specialist facilities designed to create an exceptional learning environment, helping children and young people fulfil their potential. Facilities include accessible outdoor spaces, a hydrotherapy pool, and high-specification sensory areas.

At Craig-Y-Parc School, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and fulfilling life, regardless of their background or disability. Our aim is to provide a safe and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to flourish and grow.

Craig-Y-Parc’s provision caters for students aged 3 to 19 years of age. Many of our children have profound and multiple learning difficulties. A significant number of the children have additional sensory and physical impairments, autistic spectrum disorder and social and communication difficulties.

Our Floret View provision supports secondary-aged students with special educational needs, including speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and autistic spectrum conditions (ASC).

About The Role

We are looking for an Assistant Headteacher to join us and become part of our successful team, giving the very best support to our community every day. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an engaging and rewarding environment, supporting the learning of our young people with a range of complex needs and challenges, including PMLD and ASD pupils.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Support the Headteacher in the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
• Lead and support staff in their professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to create and implement the school’s strategic vision, ensuring it aligns with the needs of students with additional learning needs.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of the school’s policies and procedures to ensure compliance with educational standards and best practices.
• Lead on key initiatives that enhance the quality of education and care, ensuring they are consistent with the school’s ethos and objectives.

  Curriculum & Learning

• Support the development and implementation of a curriculum tailored to the needs of children, including those with PMLD.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning practices to ensure high standards are maintained.
• Lead and support teachers to implement individualized educational plans (IEPs) for students, ensuring that learning is accessible, meaningful, and engaging.
• Collaborate with external professionals and agencies to ensure holistic support for students, including therapists, social care and other specialists.

  Student Well-being and Safeguarding:

• Promote the welfare and safeguarding of students, ensuring a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for all children.
• Advocate for pupils’ wants and needs and work creatively to support these.
• Ensure that student behaviour is managed effectively, modelling positive behaviour support and fostering a sense of community within the school.

  Staff Development and Support:

• Support the recruitment, induction, and continuous development of teaching and support staff.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to staff, helping them to develop best practices in working with children with additional learning needs.
• Ensure robust performance management and feedback systems are in place, recognising and developing staff potential including teaching assistants

  Communication & Partnership:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents and carers, ensuring they are actively involved in their child’s learning and well-being.
• Liaise effectively with external agencies, professionals, and stakeholders to support pupils’ holistic development and school improvement priorities.
• Work with other schools within the Salutem portfolio to develop and promote good practice.
• Represent the school at relevant meetings, conferences, and events as required.

  School Improvement & Monitoring:

• Work collaboratively with the Headteacher to develop, implement, and review the School Improvement Plan with clear, measurable objectives focused on pupil outcomes and school effectiveness.
• Lead and contribute to rigorous self-evaluation processes and continuous improvement initiatives across the school.
• Use data analytics to track pupil progress, identify gaps, and plan targeted interventions to ensure all pupils achieve their full potential.

Apply Now!

Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! At Salutem Care and Education, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment guided by our core values. Your potential and alignment with our values might be exactly what we’re looking for—sometimes more so than your current experience. If you’re excited about the opportunity to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you!

Our Core Values:

➡️Supportive: Helping everyone reach their full potential.

➡️Ambitious: Striving for the best outcomes.

➡️Loyal: Prioritising our staff and the people we support.

➡️Unique: Innovating without compromising quality.

➡️Transparent: Fostering openness and mutual respect.

➡️Engaging: Partnering with everyone involved.

➡️Meaningful: Offering fulfilling opportunities.

Why Choose Us?

✅Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.

✅ Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.

✅ Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.

✅ Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced?

🌟 Recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 by the Top Employers Institute.

🌍 Named among the Top 10 Global Inspiring Workplaces by Inspiring Workplaces.

♿ Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well-being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.