Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) – St Mary’s CE Middle School Full Time NEW

Are you passionate about inclusive education and making a real difference in the lives of young people? St Mary’s Middle School, part of the Wessex Multi Academy Trust, is seeking an inspiring Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) to join our vibrant and caring school community from September 2026.

As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the strategic development of our SEND provision, champion inclusive practice and ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive. You will work closely with pupils, families, staff, and external agencies and play a vital role in driving whole-school improvement and supporting our pastoral systems.

About The Role

• To work with the Headteacher as part of the Senior Leadership Team in all aspects of leadership and management, leading on inclusion and working alongside the Deputy Head to develop, lead and improve the quality of teaching, curriculum and assessment across the school
• To take a central role in assisting the Headteacher to develop our school in accordance with its shared values and our school development plans
• To develop the school’s SEND provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEND pupil achievement
• To develop and embed the school’s Pupil Premium Strategy/Policy and act as Pupil Premium Lead for the school.
• To oversee a Graduated Response in the school, including provision for pupils with EHCPs, applying for a needs assessment, annual reviews, transition reviews and ensuring agreed actions are implemented
• To provide day-to-day operational and leadership support to our Complex Communications Needs Base (The Bridge)
• To work directly with teachers across KS2 and KS3 to team teach, mentor and support planning to ensure high-quality and inclusive teaching is consistent across the school

What We Offer

• A supportive Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team
• A strong, team ethos and a thriving whole school community
• A highly committed staff team, who are dynamic, motivated and focussed on improving outcomes for children
• Extensive professional development opportunities, including access to a school-wide CPDbudget
• Staff wellbeing support and a collaborative staff culture
• The chance to make a real impact in a welcoming and inclusive middle school setting
• Involvement in community events and the wider life of the school
• Free onsite parking
• The opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the South Coast

Further Information

We are looking for an outstanding leader to join our wonderful team of staff. The staff, governors, parents and pupils are proud of our school and we invite potential applicants to visit the school prior to application to see why for themselves.

To discuss this role further, please contact the PA to the Headteacher on 01305 848293 who will be able to arrange a convenient time for a telephone call.

Visits can be arranged by contacting the Head’s PA.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th May – please keep this date free.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share.

The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

The school will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

About Us

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