Assistant Headteacher: Inclusion and Belonging
Horsforth School, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5RF28 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
15 April 2026 at 8am
Date listed
18 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership 14-17 (£71, 330 to £76, 772)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Horsforth School is one of the most successful comprehensive schools in the North of England — ranked 4th best comprehensive school in the North in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. Our academic outcomes consistently place us among the very best: GCSE and A Level results are well above national averages, and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 we achieved the highest state‑school A Level results in Leeds.
We are a school with ambition, momentum and a deep commitment to excellence — and we are now looking for a leader who shares that drive.
We are seeking an exceptional and passionate Assistant Headteacher: Inclusion and Belonging to lead and champion our whole-school inclusion agenda. This is a key strategic leadership role focused on ensuring that every student, regardless of need or barrier, can access an outstanding education and reach their full potential. This role offers the opportunity to shape whole‑school strategy, lead high‑impact staff development, and ensure our provision for vulnerable learners continues to be of the highest standard. It offers a rare opportunity to make a profound impact across the whole school.
Whilst you will line manage the SENDCo, you do not need to be a SEND specialist yourself; instead, we are looking for a leader with the vision, drive and emotional intelligence to champion inclusive practice, drive high standards and expectations and shape provision around the strengths you bring.
The successful candidate will work closely with the SENDCo, the Pastoral Team and senior leaders to design, implement and evaluate whole-school strategies for Vulnerable Learners and inclusion. The strategic oversight of the educational provision for all Vulnerable Learners is encompassed within this role. They will lead on building a collaborative team that supports teachers in removing barriers to learning and improving outcomes for all students.
This role combines strategic leadership with a strong commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. The Assistant Headteacher will support staff development, use data to drive improvement, oversee provision for Vulnerable Learners, and work closely with parents, external agencies and staff to ensure provision is effective, consistent and impactful.
What the school offers its staff
Located in North-West Leeds, the school is just five miles from the city centre with its thriving retail, leisure and cultural facilities, yet on the edge of open countryside. York, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach.
We are also delighted to be able to offer the following staff incentives and recognise the importance of activities outside of the classroom for staff wellbeing:
- Extracurricular activities
- Exciting trips and visits
- Free access to an onsite gym and opportunity to join the staff football team
- Bike to work scheme
- Regular staff voice
- Buzzing and lively staffroom/work hubs
- Cover Pool – allows teaching staff access to an amount of flexible working per academic year
- Amazing onsite catering with regular all staff breakfasts and seasonal events
- New Sixth Form building with onsite coffee shop ‘Common Grounds’
- Onsite car parking/excellent public transport links with local train station providing easy access from Leeds and Harrogate
- Dedicated investment in physical and mental wellbeing
- Access to Vivup – an Employee Assistance Programme with confidential employee support available everyday 24/7 for counselling and any concerns such as bereavement, mental health support, debt, legal issues.
- Recognise the importance of a good work/life balance
If you’d like to find out more, please call 0113 226 5454. Or for full details and to download an application form, please visit www.horsforthschool.org and click on the vacancies tab or email recruitment@horsforthschool.org.
Further information about the job
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 Horsforth School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1773 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Horsforth School website
- Email address
- recruitment@horsforthschool.org
- Phone number
- 01132265454
For our 1800 students, Horsforth School provides an engaging environment of discovery and growth. For our colleagues too, this setting offers some great benefits. Located in North-West Leeds, the school is just five miles from the city centre with its thriving retail, leisure and cultural facilities, yet on the edge of open countryside. York, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach.
GCSE and A Level results are consistently well above the national averages and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 the school had the best state school A Level results in the whole of Leeds.
In addition, Horsforth School was named the 4th best comprehensive school in the North in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
Arranging a visit to Horsforth School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@horsforthschool.org.
School location
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