Assistant Headteacher: Behaviour, Culture and Ethos

Langham Oaks, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5PA

31 days remaining to apply

Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
13 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
10 February 2026

Job details

Job role: Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern: Full time (Can be done as a job share)
Contract type: Permanent
Pay scale: L8-12

What skills and experience we're looking for

As Assistant Headteacher, you will be a visible, proactive and inspirational leader who models the very best practice in behaviour support, relational approaches and inclusive culture. You will ensure our pupils experience a safe, nurturing and structured environment that enables them to regulate, engage and thrive—academically and emotionally.

You will:

Lead and develop our behaviour strategy, ensuring consistency, relational practice and trauma-informed approaches.
Champion the school’s ethos, values and culture, ensuring they are lived in every classroom and interaction.
Work collaboratively with families, external agencies and multi-disciplinary teams.
Develop staff expertise through coaching, training and role modelling.
Analyse behaviour trends and use data to drive strategic improvement.
Contribute to the wider leadership and development of the school.
Retain a teaching load delivering high-quality lessons and using hands-on teaching to guide and model best practice

We are looking for a leader who is:

Passionate about making a difference for children with SEMH needs.
Experienced in leading behaviour, inclusion or pastoral teams within a specialist or mainstream setting.
Skilled in trauma-informed and relational practice.
Able to build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, families and staff.
Calm, reflective and solutions-focused under pressure.
Committed to high expectations, equity and a positive school culture.
Ambitious for themselves, their team and the pupils they serve.

What the school offers its staff

At Langham Oaks you will benefit from:-

A full CPD programme
A dedicated wellbeing area with a supply of drinks and snacks provided
A wellbeing group run by staff
Coaching/Training
Wellbeing “Whole School Approach Mental Health Award” Committed
Mental Health Lead
Buddy system
Communication policy with expectations of response times for staff
Education Mutual – employee assistance package
Wellbeing afternoon supporting National Wellbeing Day
Staff debrief at the end of each day
Supervision
Cross Trust working

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.