Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion
Parkside Primary School, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 1TH24 days remaining to apply
Start date details
April 2026
Closing date
12 January 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
18 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £54,394.00 - £58,569.00 Annually (FTE)
Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion job summary
Parkside Primary School
A Proud Member of The Creative Learning Partnership Trust.
Assistant Headteacher
L3-L6- £54,394-£58,569 (FTE)
Post Commencement: April 2026 (earlier if possible)
Parkside is a thriving one-and-a-half form entry primary school with a warm, inclusive ethos and a strong sense of community. We pride ourselves on nurturing every child’s academic and personal development, preparing them for lifelong learning and success.
We are recruiting an ambitious and passionate Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion and SEND who consistently prioritises the needs of children in every decision. You will lead our commitment to removing barriers to learning, shaping exceptional provision for all and fostering a school environment where every pupil feels seen, valued, supported and able to succeed. Working alongside a hard-working and dedicated leadership team, you will contribute fully to whole-school improvement and play an active role in strengthening our wider community
Key Responsibilities
This role will include a 50% teaching commitment.
The successful candidate will work alongside senior leaders in all aspects of leadership and management and to take responsibility for leading the following areas:
Lead the strategic development of the school’s SEN and inclusion provision
DDSL, Pupil Premium & Attendance lead
Produce and contribute to strategic documents including the SEND policy, Accessibility Plan, school evaluation & improvement plan and relevant reports to governors
Ensure high-quality teaching and provision for all pupils with SEN and vulnerable groups.
Lead on identification of SEN ensuring effective systems for assessing and tracking progress
Lead and quality-assure interventions across the school, ensuring they are evidence-based and impactful.
Coordinate and oversee statutory processes including referrals for EHCPs, annual reviews and assessments.
Provide coaching, mentoring and training to staff to strengthen inclusive classroom practice.
Support teachers to plan and deliver high-quality, adaptive teaching that meets diverse needs.
Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, parents and carers, ensuring families are fully involved in decisions about their child’s provision.
Analyse whole-school and cohort data to identify gaps in progress and attainment between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils, ensuring targeted action leads to exceptional achievement for all.
Work closely with the safeguarding and pastoral team to ensure a consistent, holistic approach to pupil support.
Lead inclusion team- 2 x SENCO’s and Family Support Worker
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
QTS
Evidence of ongoing professional development in SEND, inclusion, safeguarding or leadership.
NASENCO Award/NPQSENCO (or willingness to work towards)
Experience
Proven experience as a highly effective classroom practitioner across a range of phases, with the ability to model high quality teaching and adaptive strategies in practice
Experience in safeguarding leadership in the role of DDSL
Experience leading a team or subject area, including monitoring, evaluation and development planning
Experience and strong understanding of the SENCO role, including statutory processes, procedures, expectations, and the operational demands of leading SEND provision
Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting staff, including ECT’s
Experience analysing pupil performance data and using it to drive improvement
Skills
Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to both inspire and motivate staff alongside challenging and developing them
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and all other stakeholders.
Lead the inclusion team effectively, fostering a culture of high expectations, collaboration and consistency
Highly effective communicator- written, verbal and interpersonal
Strong organisational and time-management skills to balance leadership with a 50% teaching commitment
Ability to support & mentor teachers, providing constructive feedback and facilitating their personal growth to ensure inclusive practice by all
Knowledge & Understanding
In depth understanding of highly effective teaching and learning
Knowledge of a range of additional needs, including cognition and learning, communication and interaction, SEMH, sensory and physical needs and strategies to support them effectively
In depth knowledge of adaptive strategies and understanding the needs of diverse learners
Up to date knowledge of safeguarding principles and their application in schools
Clear understanding of inclusion leadership responsibilities, including monitoring, evaluation, action planning and leading staff development.
Understanding of assessment, data analysis, and using progress information to identify gaps (including those between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils) and drive targeted interventions
Knowledge of effective partnership and multi-agency working with families, external agencies, and the wider school community.
Personal Qualities
Sense of humour and warmth: Brings joy, positivity and approachability to daily interactions; able to laugh with colleagues and children while maintaining professionalism.
Integrity and authenticity: Demonstrates honesty, fairness and transparency in all decisions and actions. A trusted role model for staff, pupils and the wider school community.
Team player: Works collaboratively and supportively with colleagues at all levels, valuing others’ contributions and fostering a strong sense of shared purpose.
Exceptional work ethic: Shows commitment, resilience and energy in pursuing excellence for all pupils and staff. Willing to go above and beyond to make a difference.
High expectations: Holds the highest standards for teaching, learning, and behaviour- for themselves, for staff and for pupils. Inspires others to aim high and achieve their best.
Emotional intelligence: Builds strong, respectful relationships and demonstrates empathy, patience and understanding in challenging situations.
Reflective practitioner: Open to feedback, willing to learn and adapt, and continually strives for personal and professional growth.
Calm under pressure: Maintains composure, humour and perspective during busy or demanding periods
To apply, please complete the online application form at https://mynewterm.com/
Visits to our wonderful school are warmly encouraged.
Parkside Primary School - A Proud Member of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust.
Closing Date: Monday 12th January 2026
Shortlisting: Tuesday 13th January 2026
Applications to be submitted via the My New Term website.
Interview Date: Tuesday 20th January 2026
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Parkside Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service which requires you to disclose details of all reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application. The DfE have recommended that schools consider undertaking online searches on shortlisted candidates. Our Trust follows this recommendation so if shortlisted, on-line searches will be conducted accordingly. These will be undertaken in an impartial manner using publicly obtainable data by Insight HR Ltd (third party organisation).
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Parkside Primary School
- School type
- Academy, ages 2 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 339 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Parkside Primary School website
Parkside Primary School, a vibrant and welcoming school in pursuit of excellence. The school lives by its motto of 'Proud to be Parkside' and our deeply embedded values, determination, pride, honesty, resilience, kindness and independence.
We are consistently ranked as one of the highest performing primary schools in Staffordshire. High academic standards are achieved within a caring and supportive school community. Our school community of pupils, parents, staff and governors work collaboratively to provide an engaging learning environment that ensures each child fulfils their potential.
School location
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