Assistant Headteacher SEND

Assistant Headteacher (SEND)

Location: Farnham, Surrey

Salary: WL7 to WL11 (£61,582 to £67,796)

Vacancy Type: Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: Friday 15 May

Interviews: Thursday 21 May

We are seeking an exceptional, ambitious and values‑driven leader to join our dedicated and experienced Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher (SEND) at our Outstanding secondary special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (MLD).

This exciting role carries strategic responsibility for SEND across the whole school, including fulfilling the statutory role of SENCo. The successful candidate will lead and further develop inclusive practice, contribute significantly to senior leadership decision‑making, and play a key role in shaping the next phase of the school’s development. The post will particularly appeal to experienced leaders aspiring to Deputy headship who wish to deepen their leadership experience within a highly supportive and successful school environment.

We welcome applications from candidates who are:

Experienced leaders from special or mainstream settings

Primary or secondary specialists with relevant leadership experience

Strongly committed to inclusive practice and high‑quality SEND provision

The successful candidate will join a highly skilled, collaborative and committed staff team and will play a key role in driving continued excellence and shaping the school’s future development.

The Assistant Head Teacher is to be: 

An outstanding teacher with substantial experience and knowledge of SEND across key stages 

An experienced and inspirational team leader, able to motivate and develop others 

Skilled in teaching and leading provision for pupils with a wide range of complex special educational needs 

A leader of teaching and learning, contributing strategically and operationally as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team 

Highly experienced in managing and supporting challenging behaviour, with a strong commitment to inclusive and trauma-informed practice

Person Specification

Qualifications 

Essential

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCo/NPQ SENCO) or commitment to complete within statutory timescale

Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Evidence of continuing professional development, particularly in SEND and inclusive leadership

Desirable

Postgraduate qualification related to SEND, leadership, or inclusion

SENCo experience in a leadership role

Safeguarding training at DSL or deputy level

Experience

Essential

Successful teaching experience across at least one key stage

Significant experience of working with pupils with SEND

Proven impact in improving outcomes for pupils with SEND

Experience of leading or contributing to whole-school improvement

Strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and statutory responsibilities

Experience of working with parents/carers and external professionals (e.g. EPs, SALT, CAMHS)

Desirable

Experience as a SENCo or Deputy SENCo

Experience of line-managing staff

Experience of SEND provision mapping and resource deployment

Experience working within a specialist or complex SEND context

Experience of Ofsted inspection relating to SEND or inclusion

Knowledge

Essential

In-depth understanding of: 

SEND Code of Practice

Graduated response (Assess–Plan–Do–Review)

EHCP processes and statutory timelines

Inclusive quality-first teaching

Behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing as they relate to SEND

Strong knowledge of adaptive teaching and reasonable adjustments

Understanding of leadership accountability and school improvement planning

Desirable

Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and neurodiversity-affirming approaches

Understanding of commissioning and joint working with local authorities and health services

Knowledge of specialist interventions and alternative provision pathways

Knowledge/awareness of the 2026 White Paper ‘Every Child Achieving & Thriving’ and how this relates to specialist MLD settings

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for The Abbey School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.