Join a school with a clear, inclusive vision At Fairlands, we are FAIR – Fairlands Achieves, Includes, Respects. This vision shapes everything we do. It reflects our determination to ensure that all pupils are known, valued and supported to reach their potential. Our November 2025 Ofsted inspection recognised this vision in practice. Inspectors judged the school to be strong in five areas, including inclusion. They noted our “highly inclusive culture” where “every pupil is known, valued and supported”. They also highlighted that staff “never give up on a child” and that leaders “remove all kinds of barriers to pupils’ education”. We are now seeking an ambitious and values-driven assistant headteacher – SENDCo to join our headship team and help us continue to deliver our vision. About the role As assistant headteacher – SENDCo, you will play a key role in shaping strategic SEND practice and strengthening our inclusive ethos. You will: maintain an accurate SEND register and lead the graduated approach to support identify pupils’ needs early and “act on pupils’ needs” swiftly, ensuring that support evolves over time ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities enjoy the same ambition for achievement as their peers, supported through precise, well-judged adaptations lead intervention design and evaluate the impact of targeted provision, including speech and language therapy and small-group sessions provide professional guidance to colleagues and lead high-quality development across the school secure and deploy funding effectively to extend access to learning and family support contribute to safeguarding as a deputy designated safeguarding lead provide behaviour support to schools across the DSPL2 area work closely with families by offering guidance, leading parent information sessions and delivering workshops that strengthen understanding of needs, promote inclusion and reinforce the school’s work with its community About you We are looking for a leader who: is an excellent classroom practitioner with high expectations for all pupils has experience of leading at whole-school level understands the SEND code of practice and effective intervention strategies works in partnership with families and external agencies communicates clearly and builds strong professional relationships analyses information effectively and uses it to improve provision leads and develops staff with confidence and empathy holds qualified teacher status and a degree has the national award for SEND coordination or is willing to complete it What Ofsted said about Fairlands Inclusion : Inspectors praised the “highly inclusive culture” and the way staff “anticipate when to step in and when to step back”. Parents said staff “never give up on a child”. Curriculum and teaching : Teachers “make well-informed, subject-specific adaptations that remove pupils’ barriers without lowering expectations”. Reading support and specialist catch-up provision were described as effective and well trained. Behaviour and attitudes : Pupils settle quickly, behave well and understand expectations. Anxiety reduces through structured, personalised support. Attendance has improved and persistent absence has fallen, including for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Leadership : Leaders model high expectations, build trust and consistency, and are “generous in sharing expertise in behaviour and inclusive approaches”. Partnerships with families and specialists are strong. What we offer a school recognised for strong performance across five areas, including inclusion a supportive and collaborative headship team professional development that has a “positive impact on pupils’ school experiences” enrichment, pastoral support and curriculum experiences that “embrace all pupils” We shortlist based on the person specification, so please ensure your personal statement demonstrates your skills and experience relevant to the person specification. We reserve the right to interview sooner than the advertised date, for the right candidate. We celebrate diversity and want all members of our school community to feel included, supported, seen, and heard. We understand and acknowledge that discrimination and inequality are prevalent in society, and we work proactively to ensure that any discrimination or inequality is challenged within the school community. We expect all employees to share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and we will explore this with candidates during the interview process. The Claxton Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all posts are subject to a satisfactory DBS check, medical clearance, and satisfactory references. Online searches will be undertaken prior to interview.