Assistant Principal - Inclusion & SENCO

Orion Coopers, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5PS

9 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  10 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  1 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £72,009.00 - £77,209.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership Pay Scale: L12–L15 (£72,009–£77,209 FTE per annum) dependent on experience

Assistant Principal - Inclusion & SENCO job summary

We are seeking an experienced and passionate leader to join Orion Coopers as Assistant Principal - Inclusion & SEND (SENCO). This is a senior leadership role with strategic responsibility for Inclusion, SEND and Alternative Education and forms part of the school’s Senior Leadership Team.

Working closely with the Principal and Vice Principal - Behaviour, Culture and Ethos, you will lead and develop high‑quality inclusive practice across the school, ensuring that all pupils—particularly those with additional needs—are fully supported to achieve their potential. You will provide strategic direction, line management and professional development for SEND and Inclusion staff, while working with subject leaders to embed quality‑first teaching for SEND learners across the curriculum.

The role combines strategic leadership and operational delivery, including oversight of EHCPs, admissions, funding, data, external agency partnerships and staff development. You will be a visible and influential leader, championing high expectations, strong pastoral support and inclusive teaching practices throughout the school.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward‑thinking Trust, contribute to whole‑school improvement, and work collaboratively with senior leaders across Orion Education to shape inclusive provision both within the academy and across the Trust.

Please note: Orion Education reserves the right to close this vacancy early or to interview before the closing date.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

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.

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 school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Orion Coopers

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1318 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Orion Coopers website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/coopers-school

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