Assistant Headteacher
Fitzwaryn School
OX12 9ET
- £58,569 - £64,691 per year
- Expiring soon
- Salary:
- Leadership Pay Scale L6-L10
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 01 September 2026
- Apply by:
- 2 March 2026
Job overview
‘...Through learning to learn, pupils will access society…’
Fitzwaryn School is seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our Senior Leadership Team and help drive our vision of providing outstanding education for children and young people aged 3-19 with severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound & multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and autism (ASD) . This is a key strategic post which will support high-quality teaching, personalised curriculum pathways, behaviour culture and safeguarding across the school.
We are committed to providing the very best for our pupils and we know that strong leadership behind the scenes is essential to making that happen.
What we Offer
Competitive salary
Full induction programme and ongoing CPD, including specialist SEN training
Paid wellbeing days, free flu vaccinations and on-site parking
Flexible working options (part-time or job share considered)
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Employee assistance programme
Refer-a-friend scheme (earn up to £500)
A strong, therapeutic and supportive school culture
About the Role
Provide strategic leadership across key areas of school improvement, contributing to whole-school direction and decision-making.
Lead high-quality teaching and learning for pupils with MLD, SLD and PMLD, encompassing pre-formal, semi-formal and formal curriculum pathways.
Oversee personalised learning approaches, sensory-based provision and specialist communication strategies (e.g AAC, PECS).
Support behaviour culture with empathy, consistency and ambition, using data to drive proactive approaches.
Play a significant role in safeguarding, attendance and pastoral care systems, ensuring strong multi-agency collaboration.
Work closely with families, offering sensitive support through complex circumstances, reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings
Lead, coach and support staff teams through line management, performance development and professional learning.
Contribute to the development and evaluation of EHCP outcomes, curriculum planning and accreditation routes
Promote inclusion, safety and wellbeing through effective risk assessment for behaviour, mobility, medical needs and personal care.
What We’re Looking For
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a relevant degree
Strong, sustained professional development linked to SEND leadership
In-depth understanding of the SEND Code of Practice (2015), including needs linked to MLD, SLD and PMLD
Knowledge of safeguarding, including vulnerabilities associated with severe and profound needs and non-verbal pupils
Experience of teaching pupils with complex needs, including medical, sensory and communication requirements
Proven leadership experience in a specialist setting, including staff development and performance management
Experience contributing to behaviour, attendance or pastoral leadership
Strong data analysis skills relating to behaviour, safeguarding and attendance
Ability to communicate effectively with pupils who are non-verbal or have significant communication barriers
Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence working with healthcare teams, families and multi-agency partners
How to Apply
To apply for this rewarding opportunity, please apply online via the link provided. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
To arrange a visit or to find out more, please contact the School Business Manager, Amy Fitzgerald, recruitment@fitzwaryn.oxon.sch.uk
Attached documents
Recruiter contact:
About Fitzwaryn School
- Fitzwaryn School
- Denchworth Road, Wantage
- Oxfordshire
- OX12 9ET
- United Kingdom
‘....Through learning to learn, pupils will access society....’
Fitzwaryn is an Outstanding Special School for children and young people from 3 – 19 years old whose Special Educational Needs range from Moderate Learning Difficulties through to Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
The school is situated in Wantage, a small but growing market town in Oxfordshire. We have a fantastic, up to the minute, purpose built environment that enables us to deliver an exciting and diverse curriculum for each and every child. We continually strive to further develop our educational offer and in recent times we have added a Horticulture area and a bike track to our outside provision.
The school is organised into 11 classes including provision for EYFS and Post 16. Our dedicated staff team are committed to providing the best possible education for the pupils at the school, grasping every opportunity to provide a rich and diverse curriculum which often takes place outside the classroom. The staff team is committed to further developing their own skills and expertise through the Continuing Professional Development offered at the school. We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure we are meeting the diverse needs of all of the pupils.
Our vision of ‘through learning to learn, pupils will access society’ underpins all that we do with the aim that all of the pupils who have been with us leave with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully engage in the next stage of their lives and of course with fantastic memories of their time at Fitzwaryn!
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