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