Salary: L6 to L10 £60,001 to £66,120
Benefits: Generous pension and holiday entitlement, training and development, recognition policies, wellbeing support (24/7 GP access & EAP), access to discount platform, work-life balance, family-friendly policies, free parking, occupational sick pay
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Thank you for your interest in Hopescourt School, an all-through specialist school within Bourne Education Trust, supporting children with Autism and related communication and interaction needs.
Since opening in September 2024, Hopescourt has grown into a school where learners exceed expectations. This month our growth continues as we move into our new purpose-built school on Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames - a learning environment designed specifically to meet the needs of our children.
Our new building features flexible classrooms, therapy spaces and communal areas supporting independence, collaboration and wellbeing. Here, pupils will access specialist support alongside high-quality subject teaching, combining the best of mainstream and specialist education to ensure they can make excellent academic progress while developing socially and personally. At Hopescourt, we believe no child should ever have a glass ceiling placed on them. Every learner deserves the opportunity to succeed, and our mission is to break down barriers and prepare them for life beyond school.
As our school grows, we are looking to expand our teaching staff to meet this important stage in our development. This is an opportunity to be part of a brilliant and growing staff team, contribute to curriculum development, and help shape practice and culture as the school continues to evolve.
The role
As Assistant Headteacher you will provide, with confidence and discretion, assistance and support to the Headteacher in the management of the school. Supporting the development and implementation of the school' s vision, along with the management of specified areas of responsibility and line management of staff. This role will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and there will be a teaching commitment. The Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion will also be responsible as SENDCo for overseeing the running of all aspects of SEND Provision in conjunction with middle leaders and other colleagues where appropriate.
The role includes:
* Ensuring that the vision and strategic direction of the school focuses on a holistic approach to learning which is broader than examination results and targets and recognises the importance of developing responsible citizens and an effective workforce
* Creating a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment in which pupils, staff and visitors feel comfortable and which is conducive to learning
* Taking responsibility for the strategic overview of the SEND department, including self-evaluation and the department improvement plan, while supporting and contributing to a defined and clear strategic direction for the school, ensuring a rigorous self-evaluation framework that substantially contributes to raising standards across SEND and the wider school
* Establishing a safe, purposeful and stimulating environment for pupils, ensuring high expectations of discipline which pupils respect, acting to pre-empt and deal with inappropriate behaviour in line with the school's behaviour policy, while supporting the implementation of strategies which ensure high standards of behaviour and attendance and ensuring that current educational initiatives are incorporated effectively within the whole-school drive for improvement.
* Working within the Senior Leadership Team to:
* Deliver the curriculum as relevant to the age and ability of the individuals and classes you teach, preparing and developing teaching materials, programmes and pastoral arrangements as appropriate, while supporting the educational development of the school and ensuring that each pupil's educational programme meets his or her individual needs
* Monitor and evaluate the standards of teaching and learning and pupil progress across the school
* Take part, as required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school, while managing and motivating all staff to ensure the curriculum is delivered effectively.
* Support staff in the development of their teaching skills based on areas of development identified in observations
We are looking for an individual who has:
* Qualified Teacher Status
* An awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children
* In-depth understanding of secondary practice, and experience of teaching across the secondary phase *OR* In-depth understanding of primary practice, and experience of teaching across the primary phase
* NASENCo/NPQ qualified or commitment to achieve qualification within the statutory time limit of 3 years
* In-depth knowledge of strategies to improve pupil attainment
* Understanding of strategies and tactics to secure whole school improvement
Desirable
* Evidence of professional development in leadership and a minimum of two years' experience in a leadership role
* Experience in leading a SENDCo department
Why work at Hopescourt and Bourne Education Trust?
* A supportive team culture with a strong focus on collaboration and professional growth
* A new, purpose-built learning environment
* Defined career pathways and access to high-quality CPD across the Trust
* Teachers' Pension Scheme (employer contribution currently 28.68%)
* Health and wellbeing support, including 24/7 online GP access and EAP
* Flexible working where possible and enhanced family leave policies
* Free on-site parking and staff benefits platform
For full job description and requirements, please see applicant pack on our careers website.
How to apply for this role:
Please click 'Apply' to complete our online application form. Please note CVs without a fully completed application form will not be considered.
The closing date for this vacancy is the 25th February 2026. However we strongly recommend applying early to have the best possible chance of being considered. Applications will be considered on receipt, and we retain the right to amend the closing date and withdraw this vacancy if we have received sufficient applications.
Bourne Education Trust are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare and safety of its staff and pupils, and follows safeguarding interview procedures. We expect all candidates to meet the highest standard of safeguarding and successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Bourne Education Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. In advertising our vacancies, we are committed to accommodating diverse needs. If you require the applicant job pack to be supplied in a different format, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to provide a suitable alternative.
Job specification
School
Hopescourt School
Job Posted
11/02/2026
Role
Leadership
Subject
Leadership
Employment type
Support staff - full time/year round
Closing date
25/02/2026
Start date
April 2026 or asap
Job reference
AHInclusion/SENDCO/022026