Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for specialist COIN centre

Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for specialist COIN centre, required for the summer term 2022, in Ofsted rated 'Good' school

The opening of a specialist centre for children with Communication and Interaction Needs (COIN) in September 2020 was a very exciting development for our school. We have a clear vision at Bell Farm and we believe that to prepare children for the future they are entitled to the best standards in education and we endeavour to achieve academic excellence. The COIN centre builds on one of our main strengths of being an inclusive school.

We have a hard working, committed and supportive staff team and we would like our new assistant headteacher to join our dedicated and dynamic SLT. We are looking for someone who is passionate about inclusive education and who has experience of teaching children with communication and interaction needs. This role has a 50% teaching commitment and you will be an inspirational teacher and have a proven track record of strong outcomes for all children.

This is a great opportunity to develop our new provision further as our centre builds to full capacity.

Bell Farm, a large and growing primary school with a nursery set in extensive grounds, received a continuing ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in March 2019. The inspection praised a “strongly inclusive culture” that “helps this large school to feel like a family where everyone is known, listened to and cared for.” Our beautiful grounds are enjoyed by friendly and polite pupils who are eager to learn, supported by a welcoming community of staff, parents and governors all working together. 

Here’s a recent testimony from one of our HLTAs:  

“That’s the thing about Bell Farm, you really feel like you are part of a community, as a parent and as a member of staff. The school equipped me with the support and knowledge that I needed to do my job well - each year brings new opportunities for staff to develop their professional career. I have never looked back and can truly say I love my job.”

We can offer you: 

● Individually-tailored CPD; Bell Farm is committed to the development of inspired, confident and passionate staff.

● A supportive and strong Senior Leadership Team that leads the school with clear goals.

● Free places at Breakfast Club for any children that attend Bell Farm during working hours.

● An Employee Assistance Programme, offering confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

● MyBenefits: a reward scheme for employees of Surrey County Council.

● A weekly Business Manager award, to recognise a member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution to the team.

● A termly reward to a member of staff drawn at random from those with 100% attendance.

● An annual award to all members of staff with 100% attendance for the year.

● Free teas and coffees during breaks.

This is a full time permanent role. The salary is per the Leadership Pay Range L7 to L11 (Fringe area).

So please contact the school office to arrange a visit - we’re situated less than a mile from both Hersham and Walton-on-Thames train stations, with fast trains into Waterloo taking just 26 minutes. Often featured on lists of the best places to live and raise a family, Walton-on-Thames is renowned for its pretty towpath, open spaces and friendly pubs, shops and cafes.

Interviews will be held the week beginning Monday 29th November 2022.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the school. 

Main Purpose

Accountable for the strategic direction and development of agreed areas, under the direction of the headteacher.

• Provide senior leadership with overall responsibility for the specialist centre and ensuring excellent integration into and working with the mainstream school in the inclusion strand of the school.

• Support strategic development of the school ensuring the best outcomes for all children.

• Support the creation and implementation of the school strategic plan.

• Have line management responsibility for all centre staff.

• Inspire, challenge and motivate others.

• Promote effective communication between the centre and the mainstream school including all staff, the leadership team and governors.

• Participate in, and influence, school decision making.

• Be responsible for providing appropriate CPD for centre and mainstream staff that not only ensures excellent integration for the centre children but upskills all staff in supporting SEND children in the mainstream school.

• In conjunction with the inclusion manager of the mainstream school exploit opportunities for the mainstream children to work with the centre children.