Assistant Headteacher (Head of Resource Base)
Riversdale Primary School, London, SW18 5JP7 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Required from September 2026
Closing date
29 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
22 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L6 – L10
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you an experienced SEND leader ready to shape and lead a high-quality specialist provision within an ambitious, inclusive mainstream school?
Riversdale
Primary School is seeking an exceptional practitioner to lead our Resource Base
for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autistic
Spectrum Condition (ASC).
This leadership position requires strong strategic thinking, statutory knowledge and the ability to secure consistently excellent provision and outcomes.
About You
We are seeking a credible and knowledgeable SEND leader who:
- Has substantial experience teaching pupils with ASC and SLCN,
- Demonstrates deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes and DfE guidance on resource bases,
- Has experience of leading annual reviews and writing high-quality statutory reports,
- Can design ambitious, personalised curricula and secure measurable outcomes,
- Is confident leading and developing a specialist team,
- Has experience advising colleagues on inclusive practice and reasonable adjustments,
- Is able to analyse data and use it strategically to improve provision,
- Has experience of working effectively with families and multi-agency professionals,
- Is willing to complete (or already holds) the National Award for SEN Coordination,
- Experience of working in a resource base or specialist setting, delivering autism-specific training and leading whole-school SEND development would be advantageous.
You will be organised, resilient and intellectually rigorous, with high expectations and a clear moral purpose.
What the school offers its staff
About Us
Riversdale Primary School is a nurturing, ambitious and values-led school. We are proud to hold Gold: Rights Respecting School (UNICEF) status and to celebrate our rich multicultural diversity. Our children are happy, exceptionally well behaved, eager to learn and supportive of one another.
Riversdale Primary School holds Flagship School status with the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting our whole-school commitment to inclusive practice. Our Resource Base sits at the heart of this commitment and plays a key strategic role in shaping inclusive provision.
You will join:
- A dynamic and skilled Senior Leadership Team,
- Passionate and dedicated teaching and support staff,
- Supportive governors and engaged families,
- Strong Local Authority partnerships.
What We Offer
- A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence,
- The opportunity to lead and further develop an established specialist provision,
- Professional autonomy within a supportive and ambitious leadership culture,
- The chance to make a lasting difference to children with complex communication and social needs.
Further information about the job
Riversdale Primary School is seeking an exceptional practitioner to lead our Resource Base for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). This is an Assistant Headteacher role with significant strategic responsibility, including fulfilment of the statutory SENCo role for the Resource Base in the first instance.
This leadership position requires strong strategic thinking, statutory knowledge and the ability to secure consistently excellent provision and outcomes.
About the Role
The AHT (Head of Resource Base) will provide strategic and operational leadership of the provision, ensuring:
- Full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, DfE guidance on resource bases and statutory EHCP requirements,
- High-quality, evidence-informed teaching across informal, semi-formal and formal pathways,
- Precise implementation of Section F provision within EHCPs,
- Robust assess–plan–do–review cycles and outcome-focused SEND Support Plans,
- Effective leadership, deployment and development of specialist staff,
- Rigorous monitoring of pupil progress and impact of interventions,
- Strong, professional engagement with families and multi-agency partners.
The postholder will:
- Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of SENCo for the Resource Base,
- Deputise for the current HT/DHT as required,
- Lead annual reviews and transition processes for resource base pupils,
- Provide formal reports to governors where required,
- Lead admissions to the Resource Base in line with statutory processes in conjunction with the HT/DHT,
- Contribute to borough-wide SEND strategy and local authority development work, where appropriate,
- Promote and disseminate evidence-informed practice across the school.
Our provision operates across three classrooms with clearly defined informal, semi-formal and formal pathways. Pupils move fluidly between pathways according to individual learning profiles and readiness. SaLT and OT provision is embedded within teaching, in addition to support from external therapists, ensuring therapeutic approaches inform daily practice.
We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school to see the provision in action.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Svenja Taylor in the school office on 020 8874 6904 or email staylor@riversdaleschool.org.uk
An Application Form, Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below or from the Wandsworth Council website https://jobs.richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk/.
For enquiries regarding the application process, please contact Nadia Caldecott, HR Officer, on 020 8874 6904 or email ncaldecott@riversdaleschool.org.uk
Completed applications should be submitted to: ssousa@riversdaleschool.org.uk
Closing Date: Wednesday 29th April
2026 (Midday)
Shortlisting: Thursday 30th April 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 5th May 2026
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
CVs will not be accepted.
Riversdale Primary
School
302a Merton Road,
Wandsworth, London
SW18 5JP
Tel: 020 8874 6904
Interim Headteacher – Steven Sousa
Website: www.riversdaleschool.org.uk
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Riversdale Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 376 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Riversdale Primary School website
- Email address
- ssousa@riversdaleschool.org.uk
- Phone number
- 020 8874 6904
Arranging a visit to Riversdale Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email ssousa@riversdaleschool.org.uk.
School location
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