Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion

Laurance Haines School, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD

5 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  8 February 2026 at 10:59pm

• Date listed

  2 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £58,573.00 - £61,582.00 Annually (FTE)

Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion job summary

This role is ideal for an exceptional educator with a deep commitment to inclusion who has successfully led SEND provision, can demonstrate measurable impact for vulnerable learners, and is ready to shape the future of inclusive education as part of our senior leadership team. You will be supported by an inspirational school and Trust leadership team who offer excellent opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and guidance in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We believe that as an Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion, you should focus on what truly transforms lives -- ensuring every child, regardless of need or circumstance, can access exceptional learning and thrive both academically and emotionally. We work around the mantra 'You see me, you hear me, I belong', and this isn't just a phrase -- it's the heartbeat of everything we do. Our equity, diversity and inclusion initiative is woven through our curriculum, our relationships, and our relentless pursuit of excellence for every learner.

As our Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion and designated SENCO, you will lead strategically and nurture compassionately. You'll work directly with children, families and staff to remove barriers, unlock potential and create pathways to success. You'll have the autonomy to innovate, the support to take strategic risks, and the time to ensure that our most vulnerable pupils don't just keep up -- they excel. This is about leading a movement of inclusive practice that inspires colleagues, empowers families and changes children's lives.

Working collaboratively with our Headteacher and Leadership Team, you will help maintain Laurance Haines School's distinctive identity whilst driving forward our ambitious vision for inclusion. We're looking for a dynamic leader and compelling communicator who doesn't just manage SEND provision -- they reimagine what's possible. Someone with the strategic vision to see beyond the immediate, the emotional intelligence to build trust across our community, and the courage to challenge the status quo when our children's futures depend on it.

As an Assistant Headteacher within the Inclusive Multi Academy Trust, you will be more than a school leader -- you'll be part of a powerful collective working to elevate standards across all our schools. Our Assistant Headship team meets regularly not for meetings' sake, but to collaborate with genuine openness, to challenge each other's thinking, and to share the innovation that makes the difference. Together with our Headship team, we're building something special -- a trust where inclusion isn't an initiative, it's our identity.

The Trust consists of three schools: Beechfield, Cherry Tree and Laurance Haines, all situated within a mile of each other and of Watford town centre, which has excellent transport links to Central London, major airports and the M25 and M1. Each school is richly diverse -- children with different languages, cultures and religions learn together in harmony. Our Trust ethos is deeply nurturing; we place the mental health and wellbeing of our children, parents and staff at the absolute centre of our work. We know that when children feel safe, seen and supported, they don't just survive -- they flourish in all aspects of school life.

If you're an ambitious, compassionate leader who believes that every child deserves not just adequate provision but exceptional opportunity, we want to hear from you.

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We require you to disclose any previous criminal convictions or cautions even if they are spent. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Declaration Form prior to interview. When recruiting and selecting staff, the Trust is required to comply with all relevant employment legislation to ensure we are recruiting within the law as well as complying with the Trust's Equality Policy. The selection criteria document is critical in the process and sets out the requirements which the person appointed should have in order to perform the duties of the post satisfactorily and against which applicants will be assessed. The selection criteria will be used throughout the recruitment process as an objective test of assessing candidates at shortlisting, test and interview stages. Shortlisting will be completed by assessing against the advertised person specification. Our interviews will always include relevant questions relating to child protection and/or safeguarding, and will usually involve a child centred task.

No calls/emails from agencies.

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.

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 Laurance Haines School

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 468 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Laurance Haines School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/laurance-haines-school

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