Assistant Headteacher - SEND

Kingdown School is looking to appoint a talented, enthusiastic and highly motivated Assistant Head SEND to join and support its Senior Leadership Team from January 2024. We are looking for someone who shares our vision that every decision at every level is made through the lens of those with SEND or who are disadvantaged.

Kingdown School is a co-educational, non-denominational secondary school and sixth form, educating young people between the ages of 11 and 18 years. We have a strong reputation in the local community and beyond, built on an unswerving focus on the quality of teaching and learning and great pastoral care. Ranked in the top 10 secondary schools in Wiltshire, our school is located in the charming garrison town of Warminster, with excellent links to Salisbury, Bath, Bristol and the South-West. We are an academy under Acorn Education Trust, which provides exciting opportunities to collaborate and improve local education.

The role will require strategic planning, superb interpersonal skills, the ability to build relationships and responsibility for the implementation of the Trust SEND policy. Strong knowledge of the SEND code of practice and local procedures as well as the effective use of the graduated approach to SEND are also essential.

An integral member of Senior Leadership team, the successful candidate will undertake individual responsibilities to a high standard and be able to lead the team, work closely with students, school staff and families as well as Trust colleagues and external agencies.

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualified Teacher Status;
•  SENCO qualification(s);
• Experience as a successful team leader and manager;
• The ability to foster and maintain good relationships and work effectively with school stakeholders and external agencies;
• Good knowledge of current educational thinking and developments, including excellent working knowledge of school responsibilities under the SEN code of Practice, The Equality Act (2010) and the Children and Families Act (2014);
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

We can offer the successful candidate:

• Enthusiastic, friendly and hardworking students with excellent attitudes to learning;
• A caring and supportive community environment;
• A commitment to health and wellbeing;
• A commitment to professional development;
• The opportunity to work effectively with other schools as part of a multi-academy trust.

For information about this role, including a full Job Description and Person Specification, please read our Applicant Information Pack.  

Visiting our school 

Potential applicants are highly encouraged to arrange a tour to see what Kingdown School has to offer first-hand. Please contact our school admin office to arrange a tour:

Telephone: 01985 215551

Email: info@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk

To apply, please click ‘Quick Apply’ to complete an application form and send a letter of application to: lmg@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk. Please use the Supporting Statement section to explain why you’re right for the job (including any experience, skills or other information which you think makes you suited for the role). Please keep your statement to no more than two sides of A4 (approx. 1000 words).

Closing Date: Monday 9th October 2023 at 12pm  

Interview Date: TBC

Kingdown School, as part of the Acorn Education Trust, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful in obtaining this post you will be subject to a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and health screening. We are an equal opportunities employer. As part of our safer recruitment processes, if you are shortlisted for the post, we will carry out a social media account search.