Senior Leader - SEND

Pertemps Education Network; Acton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pertemps Education Network is seeking an experienced Senior Leader for a placement in a mainstream school for the Autumn Term. The role demands immediate leadership to drive improvements across SEND provision, teaching and learning, and staff performance.

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience, strong SEND knowledge, and the confidence to implement changes with minimal supervision from day one.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience within a school or educational setting.
• Strong knowledge of SEND leadership, including EHCP processes.
• Experience conducting quality assurance and driving school improvement.
• Ability to manage staff performance and address underperformance.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND provision and oversee SENCO annual reviews and EHCP processes.
• Conduct book looks, learning walks and observations to evaluate quality.
• Monitor staff performance and deliver constructive feedback.
• Implement strategies to strengthen teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
• Provide decisive, hands-on leadership to drive school improvement.
• Challenge inconsistent practice and ensure professional accountability.
• Operate with minimal direction using professional judgement.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

SEND leadership

Quality assurance

Staff performance management

Education

Educational leadership experience

Job description

Experienced Senior Leader - SEND / School Improvement

Autumn Term

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Leader for a placement within a mainstream, school, providing immediate leadership and driving improvements across SEND provision, teaching and learning, and staff performance.

This is an opportunity for a confident, hands-on leader who can hit the ground running, work independently and deliver impact from day one. The successful candidate will have substantial senior leadership experience, a strong understanding of SEND and the confidence to challenge underperformance, hold staff accountable and implement effective improvements with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• SEND Leadership & Compliance: Lead and oversee SEND provision, including SENCO annual reviews, EHCP applications and ensuring pupils' needs are appropriately identified, supported and reviewed.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct book looks, learning walks, lesson observations and other quality assurance activities to evaluate teaching standards, pupil progress and classroom practice.
• Staff Performance Management: Monitor staff performance, address underperformance, hold colleagues accountable and deliver clear, constructive feedback, including difficult conversations where necessary.
• Teaching & Learning: Identify areas for improvement and implement practical strategies to strengthen teaching quality, classroom management, pupil engagement and learning outcomes.
• Leadership & School Improvement: Provide decisive, hands-on leadership, taking ownership of priorities and driving improvements across the school.
• Staff Support & Accountability: Challenge inconsistent practice, establish clear expectations and ensure staff understand and meet their professional responsibilities.
• Independent Working: Operate confidently with minimal direction or supervision, using professional judgement and extensive leadership experience to resolve issues and maintain momentum.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a school or educational setting.
• Strong knowledge and experience of SEND leadership, including EHCP processes and SENCO annual reviews.
• Demonstrable experience of quality assurance, monitoring teaching and learning, and driving school improvement.
• Confidence managing staff performance, challenging underperformance and holding colleagues accountable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make an immediate impact.

Assignment Details

Duration: Autumn term - potentially ongoing

Start: As soon as possible

Position: Senior leadership cover.

Ideal Candidate: An established, experienced school leader who can take ownership immediately and deliver measurable improvements without requiring extensive support or development.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Head of School or senior SEND leader with a proven track record of driving improvement, strengthening provision and managing staff performance