Assistant Headteacher responsible for Inclusion (SENCo)

Dunmow St Mary's Primary School, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1EB

16 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2025

• Closing date

  22 June 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  5 June 2025

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: L1-5

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you an inspirational practitioner with a passion for inclusive education?

We are seeking to appoint a passionate, highly motivated Assistant Headteacher to lead on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious and dedicated professional to make a significant impact on the lives of our pupils, staff and wider school community. This is a vital role for a committed professional to build upon our existing strengths and further embed a culture of true inclusion across our school.

As our Assistant Headteacher responsible for Inclusion (SENCo), you will be a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of SEND and inclusion across the school. The role includes line management of the learning support team with no whole class responsibility.

The position also includes being a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead playing a crucial role in the day-to-day safeguarding operations of the school and being committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff and pupils is paramount.

The start date for the role is either September 2025 (preferred if possible) or January 2026.

At Dunmow St. Mary’s Primary School, our vision is rooted in the Christian belief that everyone is unique, loved and full of endless potential. Our children will flourish to become resilient, reflective and creative learners who build positive and respectful relationships grown from love, integrity, compassion and inclusivity.

We are seeking a candidate who:

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and has significant successful primary teaching experience

• Has the National Award for SEN Coordination/NPQ for SENCos (or a willingness to complete it within 3 years of appointment)

• Has an excellent understanding of a range of SEND needs

• Is an excellent communicator, able to inspire and motivate pupils, staff, parents and the wider community

• Demonstrates a genuine passion for inclusive education and a belief that every child can achieve

• Is committed to the Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP) approach, understanding that every behaviour is a communication and striving to build resilience, relationships and safety for all our children and families

• Is resilient with a willingness to face challenges with a solution focussed vision

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

Dunmow St. Mary's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to two appropriate references and an enhanced DBS check.

As part of the application, the personal statement should be linked to the job description and the person specification.

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged.

Please contact Mrs Helen Bright in the school office to arrange a visit.

What the school offers its staff

We can offer:

• A strong, committed team of staff who provide a rich, meaningful learning environment where children enjoy learning and working together to achieve their best

• A practical, experiential and creative curriculum

• A well resourced school with extensive grounds including a copse where Forest School takes place, an outside swimming pool, a large well-stocked library and ICT suite

• A supportive Safeguarding, Family Liaison and Pastoral Care Team who strive to ensure that children's needs are met and support staff with their expertise

• A knowledgeable and experienced Governing Board who get the balance between support and challenge right

• A strong and well established partnership with nine other local schools (DEEP)

• Motivated and engaged children with a calm family feel to the school

• A partnership with St Mary's Church and close links between church and school

Commitment to safeguarding

Dunmow St. Mary’s Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and supportive references.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs are not accepted.

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.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

AHT (Inclusion) Job Description and Person Specification.docx - Google Docs.pdf - 141 KB (opens in new tab)

Equality-statement.docx - Google Docs.pdf - 120 KB (opens in new tab)

Recruitment Selection Statement.docx - Google Docs.pdf - 111 KB (opens in new tab)

About Dunmow St Mary's Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary
• School size: 471 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Dunmow St Mary's Primary School website
• Email address: admin@dsmprimary.essex.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01371872340
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/dunmow-st-mary-s-primary-school

We teach a well-planned and exciting topic based curriculum which enables our children to make strong links between subjects and develop important independent learning skills. We are looking for a teacher able to use their passion and experience to promote our creative curriculum whilst ensuring that every child reaches their potential.

You would be joining a supportive, motivated team who work hard to consistently provide pupils with learning that is both challenging and fun. There is strong leadership support for new ideas and ways of engaging our children who have a real appetite for learning.

Arranging a visit to Dunmow St Mary's Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email admin@dsmprimary.essex.sch.uk.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Essex, Southend and Thurrock