Assistant Headteacher (Permanent)

Leadership Scale L9–L13
Location: London Borough of Bexley

About the Role

We are working in partnership with a highly regarded specialist secondary school in the London Borough of Bexley to recruit an exceptional Assistant Headteacher on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and inspirational leader to join a dedicated Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in driving school improvement and ensuring outstanding outcomes for pupils with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The school supports students with a variety of complex needs, including autism, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning difficulties and associated social, emotional and behavioural needs.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across the school, leading on a key stage, pathway or cluster of classes while supporting the continued development of high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum provision. You will line manage teaching and support staff, contribute to whole-school improvement planning, oversee safeguarding responsibilities as a Deputy DSL, and take ownership of a strategic area such as assessment, EHCPs, Post-16 provision, enrichment or student voice. A teaching commitment is included within the role.

About the School

This welcoming and well-established specialist secondary school is committed to providing an inclusive, nurturing and aspirational learning environment where every young person is encouraged to reach their full potential. The school has a strong reputation for delivering personalised education, promoting positive behaviour and developing pupils' independence, confidence and life skills.

Staff benefit from a collaborative and supportive culture, high-quality professional development opportunities and a leadership team that values innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity to join a school that places the wellbeing and success of both its students and staff at the heart of everything it does.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate will be an experienced senior or aspiring senior leader with a proven track record of improving outcomes for young people with SEND. You will demonstrate excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, alongside the ability to inspire, motivate and develop staff.

Applicants should have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Significant leadership experience within a secondary or specialist SEND setting.
• A strong understanding of SEND, inclusive practice and safeguarding.
• Experience of leading teaching and learning and driving school improvement.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine commitment to ensuring every pupil achieves their potential.

To apply, please submit your most up-to-date CV. We look forward to speaking with experienced leaders who are ready to make a lasting impact within an outstanding specialist school community.

We have a policy to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Philosophy Education is a Recruitment Business and is advertising this vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.