Assistant Headteacher (SENCO/SEND Unit and Inclusion Lead)
Barden Primary School, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 1JD35 days remaining to apply
Job start date
13 April 2026
Closing date
23 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
19 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
- SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L5-L9
What skills and experience we're looking for
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Degree
- National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs or National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCo) or a clear commitment to undertake and complete the qualification within two years of appointment.
- NPQ or further leadership qualification relevant to leadership, SEND or inclusion
- Be an outstanding SEN teacher with experience of specialist or inclusive provision.
- Have proven experience as an effective and inspirational leader in a primary setting.
- Be passionate about outstanding teaching and learning, motivating staff and pupils to achieve their very best.
- Lead with vision, energy and integrity, driving school improvement through collaboration and innovation.
- Demonstrate high expectations of themselves and others, with the determination to make a lasting impact on our school community.
What the school offers its staff
Barden Primary School offers:
- Wonderful children who are enthusiastic, hardworking and proud of their school.
- A dedicated and talented staff team who work collaboratively and supportively.
- The opportunity to join a forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team.
- A committed Governing Body with ambition for the school and its future.
- A modern, purpose-built environment with outstanding facilities
- A strong ethos of care, creativity and aspiration where both children and staff are encouraged to flourish.
- The opportunity to shape and lead SEND and inclusion provision at an exciting point in its development.
Further information about the job
Thank you for your interest in the post of Assistant Headteacher (SENCO / SEND Unit and Inclusion Lead) at Barden Primary School. This is a unique and exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced and passionate SEND specialist to drive excellence within a SEND Unit, while benefiting from the professional depth, shared practice and strategic influence of being an Assistant Headteacher within a successful mainstream school.
Barden Primary School is a thriving, inclusive mainstream school that continues to go from strength to strength. The successful candidate will be a member of the senior leadership team and will provide strategic and operational leadership for our SEND Unit, The Nest @ Barden, which currently consists of two specialist classes supported by a skilled and dedicated team of support staff, alongside our Inclusion Provision, Pipits. The role offers the opportunity to combine senior leadership responsibility with specialist SEND teaching. The post will include a 50% teaching commitment within the SEND Unit, enabling the Assistant Headteacher to model and lead high-quality, evidence-informed SEND practice while driving improvement across the provision. We are proud of the impact of The Nest @ Barden and Pipits, and we are excited about the future development of our SEND and inclusion offer.
We are seeking an outstanding SEND practitioner and inclusive leader with the expertise, vision and determination to lead a growing specialist provision within a mainstream school. The successful candidate will be warm, resilient, and aspirational, with the ability to inspire staff, build strong relationships with families and professionals, and secure excellent outcomes for pupils with additional needs.
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
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Barden Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 468 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Barden Primary School website
- Email address
- rfairclough@barden.lancs.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01282 226777
Arranging a visit to Barden Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email rfairclough@barden.lancs.sch.uk.
School location
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