Assistant Principal for Inclusion and Safeguarding
Harris Academy Merton, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1BP31 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September
Closing date
13 April 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
13 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership Scale (Inner London) based on experience and expertise
Additional allowances
Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Additional Harris Benefits
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an experienced, outstanding leader to join us as Assistant Principal (Inclusion & Safeguarding) supporting the strategic and operational management, development and leadership of Harris Academy Merton, and ensuring the achievement of our ethos, aims and objectives.
We are look for a leader who brings expertise, compassion and ambition in equal measure, and who has:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Proven experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Experience working within specialist or highly inclusive settings
- A strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
- Excellent knowledge of statutory safeguarding and SEND frameworks
- A child-centred, collaborative leadership style with safeguarding at its core
- A genuine passion for inclusive and adaptive learning, teamwork and student wellbeing
What the school offers its staff
At Harris Academy Merton we promote the ethos ‘'Achievement is Success'' and believe every student has the right to the highest standard of education so that they can accomplish their aspirations. Our aim is to give every student an educational experience that is enjoyable and holistic so that they develop into responsible, articulate and successful young people.
We combine the traditional values of strong discipline, good manners, respect and pride in appearance with contemporary best practice in teaching and technology. With these core values embedded, we develop our students into confident and capable individuals that have a desire to excel academically and personally now and in the future.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Flexible working opportunities
Harris Federation is committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.
Our approach to flexibility includes a range of solutions, from tailored working hours to part-time arrangements, where appropriate, ensuring that we maintain our high standards of education while supporting the wellbeing of our staff. Whether you are a classroom teacher, support staffor part of our senior leadership team, we work together to find solutions that align with both the operational needs of the academy and your professional development.
Harris Federation and our academies are dedicated to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, where every member of staff can thrive and feel valued in their role.
Further information about the job
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and Prevent Lead, ensuring exemplary standards of student safety, compliance and wellbeing
- Establish and promote a strong safeguarding and inclusive culture within the Academy
- Implement and deliver an effective safeguarding training programme for students, staff and parents
- Oversee Alternative Provision
- Lead the transition of Year 6 into Year 7
- Lead the Early Help provision in the Academy
- Act as the Academy Mental Health Lead
- Act as Designated Teacher for LAC
- Work in conjunction with the Attendance Lead to monitor children who are absent from education and implement appropriate strategies to re-engage them with education
- Oversee the implementation and delivery of the RSHE curriculum ensuring it is fully compliant
- Oversight of high-quality SEND and EAL provision including identification, assessment, progress tracking and the graduated approach
- Oversight of EHCP processes, identification, assessment, progress tracking and the graduated approach
- Oversight of access arrangements and statutory documentation to ensure regulatory compliance
- Coach and empower staff to deliver inclusive, adaptive teaching for SEND
- Drive whole-school improvement through data analysis, strategic planning and targeted interventions
- Build strong, trusted partnerships with student, families, staff and external agencies
- Contribute to the daily life of the school through visible leadership
Commitment to safeguarding
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
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 Harris Academy Merton
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1341 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Harris Academy Merton website
- Email address
- careers@harrisfederation.org.uk
- Phone number
- 020 8623 1000
About Harris Academy Merton
Harris Academy Merton serves students from Year 7 to Sixth Form, and has twice been judged Outstanding by Ofsted. The current student roll is 1200, with a planned increase in our Year 7 intake over the next two years taking our numbers from 180 to 240 students. Applications for places greatly exceed the places available. The academy is set in seven acres of land, containing five teaching blocks, a sports hall, a full size floodlit all weather pitch plus four full size floodlit tennis courts and our own playing fields as well as an administration building containing the assembly hall and dining hall. We are favourably located for public transport with good local access to bus, mainline train and underground links, as well as on-site parking for vehicles and bicycles.
Come and see us in action: visits to Harris Academy Merton are strongly encouraged and very welcome. Please call 0208 623 1000 or info@harrismerton.org.uk to arrange a time to come in or an informal conversation with the Principal.
Arranging a visit to Harris Academy Merton
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email careers@harrisfederation.org.uk.
School location
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