Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) - Special School - Chiltern Wood School
Location: High Wycombe
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 9:00am on Friday 8 th May 2026
Interviews: Thursday 14 th May 2026
About us
We provide high-quality education for 239 pupils with ASC, SLD and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) across three sites. Our dedicated staff team is committed to delivering personalised learning and outstanding care in a nurturing environment.
* To support the development, implementation and evaluation of the whole-school pastoral strategy for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including autism and complex learning needs.
* To act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust safeguarding processes are followed across the school.
* To support attendance and behaviour systems across all three school sites.
* To provide targeted support for individual pupils’ behaviour using a range of supportive techniques and strategies, working with classes and liaising with external agencies as appropriate.
* To act as a Team Teach trainer, delivering training and guidance on positive behaviour support and physical intervention strategies.
* To oversee the induction and support of all new pupils arriving at the Studley Green Little Wings site.
* To develop and monitor wellness support plans for staff at the Studley Green site.
About you
Qualifications and training
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
* Evidence of further professional development in pastoral care, SEND or leadership.
* Team Teach trainer qualification, or willingness to achieve this upon appointment.
* Designated Safeguarding Lead training (or willingness to complete).
Experience
* Successful teaching experience with pupils with SEND, including autism and complex needs.
* Experience in a pastoral role within a special or mainstream school.
* Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams and external agencies.
* Experience of delivering staff training (desirable).
* Experience of chairing Annual reviews
Skills and knowledge
* Thorough understanding of best practice in pastoral care and safeguarding in a special school context.
* Up-to-date knowledge of legislation and guidance related to SEND, safeguarding, attendance and behaviour.
* Strong understanding of positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
* Ability to analyse data and implement effective interventions.
* Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
* Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with pupils, staff, families and external partners.
* High expectations for all pupils and commitment to supporting their holistic development.
* A child-centred, empathetic and flexible approach.
* Commitment to upholding and promoting the ethos and values of Chiltern Wood School.
* Ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively and maintain confidentiality.
* Enthusiastic, proactive and resilient.
* Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Legal Declarations
Chiltern Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full vetting checks, including a disclosure of criminal records at an enhanced level, online searches and satisfactory references.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
* All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
* All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).
* For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.
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