DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Assistant Principal (Inclusion) / SENDCo
Permanent
Salary: L10-L14, £64,691 - £71,330, plus membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and a strong commitment to professional learning and leadership development.
Start Date: April 2026
We are delighted to offer a rare and exciting opportunity to join our senior leadership team as Assistant Principal with a focus on Inclusion (SENDCo), at our high-achieving boys’ grammar school. This is a key role for a passionate leader who is committed to ensuring every student is supported to thrive.
About the role
We are seeking an Assistant Principal (Inclusion) / SENDCo who is passionate about equity, belonging and high expectations for all learners. With engaged students, supportive families, and a committed staff team, this is a genuine opportunity to shape inclusive practice, lead meaningful improvement and ensure every Marlingtonian can thrive and succeed. As Assistant Principal (Inclusion) / SENDCo, you will:
•Lead inclusion, SEND, EAL, wellbeing and disadvantaged pupil strategy across the school.
•Lead and line-manage the Inclusion Team, including specialist support staff, ensuring high-quality provision and effective deployment of resources.
•Serve as SENDCo, ensuring pupils with SEND are accurately identified, well supported and able to access the full breadth of the curriculum.
•Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), working closely with the DSL to ensure robust safeguarding practice and effective multi-agency working.
•Serve as Mental Health Lead for the school, promoting a whole-school approach to wellbeing and early intervention.
•Work as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team to deliver whole-school priorities and initiatives, contributing to strategic planning and sustained improvement.
•Undertake a small classroom teaching commitment (approximately 20%), maintaining strong engagement with the curriculum and pupils.
•Ensure that vulnerable learners are never disadvantaged by performance pressures and that high expectations are maintained for all.
This is a strategic leadership role, with responsibilities that remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the school.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking an inclusive, values-driven leader with the credibility, expertise, and moral purpose to ensure that every pupil at Marling School can flourish. The successful candidate will:
•Be an experienced and effective teacher with a strong track record of supporting pupils with SEND and other vulnerabilities to achieve highly.
•Hold (or be willing to complete) NASENCO Award or National Professional Qualification for SEND Coordination and demonstrate a strong understanding of statutory SEND responsibilities.
•Have proven experience of leading inclusion, SEND, wellbeing or disadvantaged pupil strategy, with the ability to evaluate impact and drive sustained improvement.
•Demonstrate a deep commitment to equity, belonging and high expectations, ensuring inclusive practice strengthens academic ambition.
•Be a confident leader of people, able to inspire, develop and hold to account a team of specialist support staff.
•Have strong safeguarding knowledge and the professional judgement required to undertake the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
•Show a clear commitment to promoting positive mental health and a whole-school approach to wellbeing and early intervention.
•Be a collaborative Senior Leader, able to contribute strategically to whole-school priorities while working effectively with families, external agencies, and partners.
•Be reflective, resilient, and solution-focused, with the flexibility to respond to the evolving needs of the school and its pupils.
Above all, we are looking for a leader who believes that inclusion is central to excellence, and who is committed to ensuring that every Marlingtonian is known, supported, and challenged to succeed.
About Marling School
Marling School is a high-achieving 11–18 selective boys’ grammar school with a thriving co-educational sixth form and a proud history dating back to 1887. Our motto, Abeunt Studia in Mores, ‘Let us go forward through study to character’ reflects our belief that education is about more than results. It is about developing thoughtful, resilient young people ready to make a positive impact in the world.
The founding school of Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust, Marling School is now embarking on a new, exciting journey as preparations to join Lift Schools, one of the largest and most established multi-academy trusts in the country, continue to progress. This partnership enables Marling to remain deeply rooted in its local community and proud traditions, while also benefiting from the exceptional expertise, support, and resources of a national family of schools. United by Lift Schools’ mission of providing an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day this next chapter offers a powerful opportunity to strengthen outcomes for our students and staff alike.
This exciting phase in Marling’s journey also coincides with the appointment of Mr Peter Knight as our new Principal. Peter brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation and ensuring every student thrives. We are delighted to welcome him to our team.
Why Join Marling School?
•A rare opportunity to shape and lead inclusive provision within a high-achieving grammar school, where inclusion is central to excellence.
•A key Senior Leadership role at a pivotal moment in the school’s development, with genuine scope to influence whole-school strategy and practice.
•A competitive salary of L10–L14 (Leadership Scale), plus membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and a strong commitment to professional learning and leadership development.
•The chance to ensure pupils with SEND and other vulnerabilities thrive in a highly academic environment.
•Engaged and motivated students, supportive families, and a committed staff team who value thoughtful, collaborative leadership.
•Strong academic foundations, the backing and support of a well-established Trust, and an extensive site offering significant future potential.
•The opportunity to model and deliver high-quality teaching for SEND and disadvantaged learners.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Marling School is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community where all staff and pupils are valued and respected. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our school and enriches our pupils’ education.
Safeguarding Statement
Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will, in accordance with statutory guidance, be subject to a comprehensive pre-employment checking process including references from current and previous employers, health, right to work in the UK, an enhanced DBS check and a further check against the appropriate barred list. This role involves work with students and provides regular access to children, therefore is a regulated activity. Please see our Recruitment and Selection Policy including Recruitment of Ex-Offenders on the CBAT website.
Closing date: Monday 2nd February 2026, 12 noon
Interview date: TBC
Safeguarding Statement
Marling School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointed person will be required to undergo an enhanced CRB clearance