Assistant Headteacher - Inclusion & SEND
Crigglestone Nursery School, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 3EB15 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
10 December 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
25 November 2025
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L1 to L5
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Inclusion and SEND to join our forward-thinking leadership team.
This senior leadership role requires a qualified and practising (or recently practising) SENDCo holding the National Award for SEN Coordination and with substantial experience leading inclusion within an early years or primary setting.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the Federation’s strategic direction for Inclusion, SEND, and medical needs.
- Act as Federation SENDCo, ensuring statutory compliance and exemplary practice.
- Oversee The Garden Room (enhanced SEND provision for communication & interaction), ensuring exceptional, individualised support.
- Contribute to Federation-wide strategic planning and improvement as part of SLT.
Safeguarding & Pastoral Care
- Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), promoting a strong safeguarding culture.
- Oversee behaviour, attendance, and pastoral systems to ensure children feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.
- Monitor attendance and outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, addressing barriers to engagement.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Lead and support teaching assistants and support staff, including The Garden Room team.
- Ensure staff are confident and well-trained in inclusive, adaptive practice.
- Foster teamwork and professional growth through coaching and reflective supervision.
Curriculum & Teaching
- Champion inclusive, ambitious teaching that meets diverse needs.
- Support staff in delivering a rich, inspiring curriculum aligned with The Curiosity Approach.
- Model outstanding, child-centred practice.
School Improvement & Evaluation
- Lead SEND and inclusion within the school development plan.
- Use data and evidence to evaluate impact and drive improvement.
- Work effectively with external partners to secure the best outcomes for children and families.
- Report regularly to governors on outcomes for SEND and vulnerable groups.
Essential Skills & Qualities
- Qualified teacher with the National Award for SEN Coordination.
- Recent experience as a SENDCo (EYFS experience is desirable).
- Strong knowledge of inclusion, SEND, safeguarding, and early years pedagogy.
- Experience as DSL or senior safeguarding leader.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to inspire and develop teams.
- Commitment to reflective, evidence-informed practice.
- Passion for The Curiosity Approach and inclusive education.
- Integrity, optimism, and a belief in every child’s potential.
What the school offers its staff
We Offer
- A warm, collaborative, and forward-thinking Federation community.
- Skilled, supportive staff teams committed to inclusion and lifelong learning.
- Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.
- Enthusiastic children who love to learn in curiosity-rich environments.
- A unique opportunity to lead and further develop The Garden Room SEND provision.
Further information about the job
Base: Across both Crigglestone & The Castle Nursery Schools
Visits to either of our schools are warmly welcomed. Please contact either Crigglestone Nursery School on 01924 251151 or The Castle Nursery School on 01924 664787 to arrange.
Please email completed applications to kquinn@crigglestonecastle.wakefield.sch.uk
Closing date 10th December 2025
Interviews week commencing 15th December 2025
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)About Crigglestone Nursery School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 4
- Education phase
- Nursery
- School size
- 88 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 4
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Crigglestone Nursery School website
- Email address
- castleadmin@crigglestonecastle.wakefield.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01924 664787
We are two vibrant, inclusive maintained nursery schools working in strong partnership to provide high-quality early education for children aged 2–4.
Our ethos is rooted in nurture, inclusion, and curiosity. Inspired by The Curiosity Approach, our environments celebrate awe, wonder, and independence—helping every child to explore, question, and thrive.
Our vision: Nurture Children’s Natural Curiosity
Arranging a visit to Crigglestone Nursery School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email castleadmin@crigglestonecastle.wakefield.sch.uk.
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