Head of Resource Base for (SLCN) and (ASC)
Riversdale Primary School, London, SW18 5JP28 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Required from September 2026 or earlier
Closing date
13 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
12 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
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
- UPS
Additional allowances
+ SEN + TLR (dependent on experience)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you an experienced SEND leader ready to shape and lead a high-quality specialist provision within an ambitious, inclusive mainstream school?
This is not solely a classroom-based post. It is a leadership position requiring strong strategic thinking, statutory knowledge and the ability to secure consistently excellent provision and outcomes.
The postholder will:
- Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of SENCo for the Resource Base,
- Deputise for the current SENCo/DHT as required,
- Lead annual reviews and transition processes for resource base pupils,
- Provide formal reports to governors where required,
- Lead admissions to the Resource Base in line with statutory processes in conjunction with the SENCo/DHT and Headteacher,
- Contribute to borough-wide SEND strategy and local authority development work, where appropriate,
- Promote and disseminate evidence-informed practice across the school.
About You
We are seeking a credible and knowledgeable SEND leader who:
- Has substantial experience teaching pupils with ASC and SLCN,
- Demonstrates deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes and DfE guidance on resource bases,
- Has experience of leading annual reviews and writing high-quality statutory reports,
- Can design ambitious, personalised curricula and secure measurable outcomes,
- Is confident leading and developing a specialist team,
- Has experience advising colleagues on inclusive practice and reasonable adjustments,
- Is able to analyse data and use it strategically to improve provision,
- Has experience of working effectively with families and multi-agency professionals,
- Is willing to complete (or already holds) the National Award for SEN Coordination,
- Experience of working in a resource base or specialist setting, delivering autism-specific training and leading whole-school SEND development would be advantageous.
You will be organised, resilient and intellectually rigorous, with high expectations and a clear moral purpose.
What the school offers its staff
Riversdale Primary School is seeking an exceptional practitioner to lead our Resource Base for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). This is a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility, including membership of the Senior Leadership Team and fulfilment of the statutory SENCo role for the Resource Base in the first instance.
About the Role
The Head of Resource Base will provide strategic and operational leadership of the provision, ensuring:
- Full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, DfE guidance on resource bases and statutory EHCP requirements,
- High-quality, evidence-informed teaching across informal, semi-formal and formal pathways,
- Precise implementation of Section F provision within EHCPs,
- Robust assess–plan–do–review cycles and outcome-focused SEND Support Plans,
- Effective leadership, deployment and development of specialist staff,
- Rigorous monitoring of pupil progress and impact of interventions,
- Strong, professional engagement with families and multi-agency partners.
- About Us
-
Riversdale Primary School is a nurturing, ambitious and values-led school. We are proud to hold Gold: Rights Respecting School (UNICEF) status and to celebrate our rich multicultural diversity. Our children are happy, exceptionally well behaved, eager to learn and supportive of one another.
Riversdale Primary School holds Flagship School status with the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting our whole-school commitment to inclusive practice. Our Resource Base sits at the heart of this commitment and plays a key strategic role in shaping inclusive provision.
You will join:
- A dynamic and skilled Senior Leadership Team,
- Passionate and dedicated teaching and support staff,
- Supportive governors and engaged families,
- Strong Local Authority partnerships.
What We Offer
- A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence,
- The opportunity to lead and further develop an established specialist provision,
- Professional autonomy within a supportive and ambitious leadership culture,
- The chance to make a lasting difference to children with complex communication and social needs.
Further information about the job
Our provision operates across three classrooms with clearly defined informal, semi-formal and formal pathways. Pupils move fluidly between pathways according to individual learning profiles and readiness. Integrated SaLT and OT provision is embedded within teaching, ensuring therapeutic approaches inform daily practice.
We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school to see the provision in action.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Svenja Taylor in the school office on 020 8874 6904 or email staylor@riversdaleschool.org.uk
An Application Form, Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below.
For enquiries regarding the application process, please contact Nadia Caldecott, HR Officer, on 020 8874 6904 or email ncaldecott@riversdaleschool.org.uk
Completed applications should be submitted to: ssousa@riversdaleschool.org.uk
Closing Date: Friday 13th March 2026
(midnight)
Shortlisting: Monday 16th March 2026
Interviews: Friday 20th March 2026
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
CVs will not be accepted.
Riversdale Primary School
302a Merton Road,
Wandsworth, London
SW18 5JP
Tel: 020 8874 6904
Interim Headteacher – Steven Sousa
Website:
www.riversdaleschool.org.uk
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.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Riversdale Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 376 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Riversdale Primary School website
- Email address
- ssousa@riversdaleschool.org.uk
- Phone number
- 020 8874 6904
School location
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