SEN Assistant Headteacher (Job Share)

Assistant Headteacher (Job Share)

Pay/Grade: Leadership Scale 6–14
Working Pattern: Part-time, Monday–Wednesday
Responsible To: Head of School
Responsible For: Curriculum, assessment, CPD, AET training coordination, outreach strategy
Partnership Arrangement: This role operates as a job share with the Assistant Headteacher (In-Class Pedagogy & Practice). Together, both postholders hold joint responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of Teaching & Learning across the school.

Purpose of the Role

The Assistant Headteacher (Research, Curriculum & Training) will provide high-level strategic leadership in the areas of curriculum development, assessment systems, staff professional development, and evidence-informed practice. This role directly supports the school’s vision for an ambitious, inclusive, and research-led approach to education, ensuring that all pupils—particularly those with SEND—receive high-quality learning experiences.

The postholder will act as the Lead Trainer Coordinator for the Hampshire Autism Education Trust (AET), overseeing the delivery, quality assurance, and strategic direction of AET training across the region. This includes supporting trainers, maintaining fidelity to the AET framework, and ensuring compliance with commissioning agreements.

A significant aspect of the role involves leading the school’s Outreach programme, ensuring that support for external schools and settings is impactful, high-quality, and aligned with county-wide expectations and quality assurance processes.

Working collaboratively with the Assistant Headteacher (In-Class Pedagogy & Practice), the postholder will jointly shape the overarching Teaching & Learning strategy, contribute to school improvement planning, and support whole-school priorities. The role also includes teaching commitments where appropriate, modelling outstanding practice.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder contributes to all aspects of operational leadership, including safeguarding, behaviour oversight, staff line management, duty responsibilities, and organisational development.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum Leadership

• Lead on the intent, design, sequencing, and ongoing evaluation of the school curriculum to ensure it is ambitious, inclusive, and responsive to pupil need.

• Coordinate curriculum reviews and ensure alignment with the school’s vision, research, and statutory expectations.

• Provide guidance and support to subject and phase leaders in the adoption and embedding of curriculum innovation.

Assessment & Data

• Oversee the whole-school assessment framework, including systems for moderation, analysis, tracking, and reporting.

• Ensure assessment arrangements are purposeful, workload-conscious, and supportive of pupil progress.

• Analyse school-wide data and prepare detailed reports for SLT, governors, and external partners, identifying trends and recommending strategic actions.

Professional Development (CPD)

• Design, coordinate, and evaluate the annual CPD programme, including INSET days, twilight sessions, and coaching pathways.

• Support staff in accessing high-quality professional learning, including facilitating NPQ and research-engagement opportunities.

• Lead initiatives that promote reflective practice, pedagogical development, and a culture of continual improvement.

Research & Evidence-Informed Practice

• Horizon-scan developments in educational research, SEND pedagogy, and national guidance.

• Translate research insights into practical strategies that support staff development and improved outcomes for pupils.

• Promote and support practitioner enquiry and evidence-informed decision-making across the school.

AET Training & Regional Coordination

• Act as Lead Trainer Coordinator for Hampshire AET, overseeing training delivery, compliance, and quality assurance.

• Maintain strong relationships with county partners, external trainers, and commissioning bodies.

• Ensure AET provision remains fully aligned with national standards and contributes positively to system-wide SEND practice.

Outreach & External Support

• Lead the development, delivery, and quality assurance of the school’s Outreach service.

• Coordinate staffing, ensure compliance with commissioning expectations, and monitor impact.

• Represent the school in local networks, partnerships, and multi-agency collaborations.

Teaching, Leadership & Operational Duties

• Teach classes as required, modelling outstanding practice in teaching, assessment, and classroom management.

• Contribute fully to day-to-day operational leadership including safeguarding, behaviour oversight, and staff deployment.

• Line manage allocated staff, conduct appraisals, and support well-being, development, and performance.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Model exemplary safeguarding practice and operate within DSL protocols at all times.

• Ensure full adherence to policies relating to Equality & Diversity, GDPR, Health & Safety, Capability, and other statutory frameworks.

• Maintain compliance and quality assurance standards relating to AET and Outreach commissioning.

• Contribute to safeguarding audits, training, and ongoing development of a strong safeguarding culture.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial SEND expertise.

• Proven leadership experience relating to curriculum, assessment, CPD, or school improvement.

• Demonstrable experience in coordinating professional development or delivering training.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and partnership-building skills.

• Strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, and statutory compliance.

• Ability to use data, research, and evidence to inform strategic decision-making.

• Capacity to work effectively within a collaborative leadership model.

Desirable (Non-Essential) Criteria

• AET trainer accreditation or experience delivering AET programmes.

• NPQ qualification (NPQSL/NPQTL) or relevant postgraduate study.

• Experience overseeing commissioned services or external training delivery.

• Experience contributing to regional or system-level SEND improvement work.

How to Apply

Applications are welcome from enthusiastic and reflective leaders who are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Please apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.