Assistant Headteacher

Bishopswood School, Reading, RG4 9RH

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  TBC upon successful completion of safer recruitment checks

• Closing date

  2 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  11 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Leadership Pay scale, £58,569 - £64,691

Assistant Headteacher job summary

“..Empowered and engaged learners..”

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our Leadership Team and help drive our vision of fostering a community where every learner is empowered and fully engaged in their journey towards independence, confidence, and success..

Bishopswood School is a vibrant community special school for children aged 4–16 with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties (SLD/PMLD), complex needs, and autism (ASD). Part of the Propeller Academy Trust, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative, inclusive education across two co-located sites with mainstream partners.

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, Catherine King, recruitment@bishopswoodschool.co.uk

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Propeller Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

This role involves a high level of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check (including Barred List where applicable) and online searches for publicly available information.

We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or pregnancy/maternity.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Bishopswood School

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 16
• School size: 74 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Bishopswood School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/bishopswood-school-reading

Bishopswood is a community special school in South Oxfordshire that provides specialist education for children aged 4 – 16 years with severe (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs, including those children with ASD. We are a school that prides itself in providing innovative learning techniques to meet the wide-ranging needs of our pupils.

With an inclusive ethos Bishopswood endeavours to provide specialist provision alongside its co-located mainstream partners on two sites.; our main primary department which is co-located with Sonning Common primary school and Bishopswood’s secondary provision at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common.

As a small but strong community of people we are committed to providing outstanding teaching and learning for our pupils which is achieved by working in close partnership with our families, professionals, governors and the wider community to deliver a tailored and inclusive education for every pupil.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Reading