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Assistant Head Teacher - SENCo & Inclusion Lead
Location: Strawberry Lane School, Durham, DH6 5BE
Salary: £43,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start date: January 2026
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
At Strawberry Lane School, we don’t just teach — we transform lives. We’re a specialist setting for young people with Autism and complex needs, and we believe in unlocking every student’s potential through expert teaching, deep care, and relentless ambition. We are seeking a passionate and experienced Assistant Headteacher for SEND & Inclusion, who will also take on SENCO responsibilities, to join our Senior Leadership Team.
About the Role
This pivotal leadership role supports the Headteacher in delivering a high-quality education service in line with school vision and regulatory standards. As Assistant Headteacher, you’ll drive the SEND and Inclusion agenda, leading policy and provision that transforms lives. You’ll work hand-in-hand with our clinical therapy team and wider stakeholders to raise attainment and deliver personalised, high-quality education.
With up to 50% teaching time, you’ll model exceptional practice and champion safeguarding as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Key Responsibilities
Lead SEND provision, policy, and EHCP oversight—ensuring full compliance with SEN Code of Practice
Chair EHCP and PEP meetings, collaborating with families, carers, and professionals
Shape accessible, personalised curriculum pathways for every pupil
Deliver staff training and champion best practice in SEND and inclusion
Drive school-wide high standards alongside the Senior Leadership Team
Use data strategically to monitor and boost pupil progress
Lead and manage SEND staff and interventions
Play a key role in safeguarding as a Deputy DSL
Support smooth transitions for students entering and leaving the school
Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies
What We’re Looking For
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) holder
SENCo National Award holder or willing to complete it
Experienced working with children/young people with Autism and complex needs
Proven leader in staff training and performance management
Exceptional communicator and collaborator with families and professionals
Strategic thinker with excellent organisational skills
Committed to safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare
Resilient, adaptable, and confident working independently and in a team
Desirable
Senior leadership or SENCo experience
Deputy Safeguarding Lead experience
Experience with young people from challenging backgrounds
Driving licence
About us
Strawberry Lane School, located in Bowburn, Durham, is a brand-new specialist school accommodating 60 pupils aged 11–19 with a primary need of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), communication and language needs, and often additional complex needs.
The school is dedicated to empowering every learner and embracing every strength, providing a nurturing and inclusive educational environment where autistic young people can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
Cycle to Work Schemes
Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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