Assistant Headteacher (SEN) - Complex Needs & Autism

Specialist SEN School | South West London | Permanent | Leadership Scale | £64,000 - £80,000 | September Start

Are you an experienced SEN leader ready to take the next step in your career within an outstanding specialist setting?

Do you thrive in environments where collaboration, therapeutic practice and high expectations combine to achieve exceptional outcomes for children with complex needs?

Would you like to play a pivotal role in shaping whole-school improvement whilst continuing to make a direct impact on pupils, families and staff?

A highly respected specialist SEN school is seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join its Senior Leadership Team from September. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious, well-established provision supporting children and young people aged 3-19 with a wide range of complex learning needs, including Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), complex communication needs and associated physical or medical needs.

Working closely with the Head of School and wider leadership team, you will help drive strategic school improvement whilst maintaining an uncompromising focus on the quality of education, safeguarding, wellbeing and outstanding outcomes for every learner.

The Role

As Assistant Headteacher, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across the school, supporting curriculum development, quality assurance, staff development and the continual improvement of teaching and learning.

You will also take responsibility for leading the school's statutory SEND processes, ensuring that every pupil receives the highest quality provision through effective EHCP implementation and close collaboration with families and multidisciplinary professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of School with the day-to-day leadership and strategic development of the school.
• Lead on the school's SEND provision, ensuring statutory compliance with EHCP processes.
• Oversee Annual Reviews, admissions and transitions for pupils with complex needs.
• Drive whole-school improvement through quality assurance, self-evaluation and action planning.
• Coach, mentor and develop teachers and support staff to continually improve classroom practice.
• Lead staff CPD and deliver high-quality professional development.
• Monitor teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum quality across the school.
• Work closely with therapists, educational psychologists, social care professionals and external agencies to deliver truly integrated support.
• Lead safeguarding practice alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead and promote a culture where pupil welfare is paramount.
• Use assessment and performance data to identify priorities and improve outcomes.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development.
• Foster strong relationships with parents, carers and external partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Significant experience teaching within specialist SEN settings.
• Proven leadership experience at middle or senior leadership level.
• Extensive knowledge of Autism and complex SEND.
• Strong understanding of EHCP processes and statutory SEND responsibilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working collaboratively with therapists and external agencies.
• A track record of improving teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
• Excellent coaching and staff development skills.
• Outstanding organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A calm, resilient and solution-focused leadership style.
• An unwavering commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and achieving exceptional outcomes for pupils with additional needs.

In Return

The school offers:

• A highly supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership Team.
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A genuinely multidisciplinary approach to education.
• Access to experienced therapists and specialist professionals.
• Well-resourced classrooms and specialist learning environments.
• The opportunity to shape whole-school practice and influence strategic development.
• A rewarding leadership role where every day makes a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people with complex additional needs.

INDTEA