SENCO and Assistant Headteacher at The Lion Works School

Posted on 27 February 2026
Applications close on 31 March 2026

All Locations:

Poole

Salary Details:

58569 - 64691

Vacancy Type:

Permanent

Function:

Schools

Employer:

The Lion Works School

Job Working Pattern:

Full time

Closing time of advert

Not Specified

Home
Vacancies
SENCO and Assistant Headteacher at The Lion Works School

About the role

As Assistant Headteacher for SEND & Inclusion, you will be an experienced teacher with a passion for supporting pupils with special educational needs. Working closely with the Headteacher and other senior colleagues, you will use your leadership skills to manage provision across the school and to support other teachers.

Further Information

You will be a qualified SENDCo (or an experienced practitioner willing to undertake the NPQ SEND qualification). Your responsibilities will include designing and delivering interventions, supporting pupils in the classroom, and implementing the school’s SEND strategy. You will also play a key role in ensuring that EHCP provision is effectively planned, implemented, and reviewed, so that statutory requirements are met and pupils’ needs are appropriately supported.

Suitable candidates will already have managerial responsibilities with a proven track record in leading and developing inclusion practices. This experience may have come from an SLT role or a departmental role. This may be a first SLT role for the right candidate, but they would need to demonstrate a strong and effective approach in previous roles.

The Assistant Headteacher will have responsibility for Inclusion and SEND. The successful candidate should have effective knowledge and experience of this role or be willing to undertake the required training and be able to demonstrate an interest and passion for this aspect of schools and teaching practices.

As a Senior Leader, you will:

be a crucial part of the leadership of the school, including day-to-day management and site responsibility when the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher is not in attendance
maintain an effective school wide system of SEND and Inclusion
support teachers to identify the needs of learners and enable support plans to achieve effective engagement
support colleagues to deliver a high-quality learning experience using a variety of teaching and learning methods

As SENDCo, you will:

support teachers to identify the needs of learners and enable support plans to achieve effective engagement
support colleagues to deliver a high-quality learning experience using a variety of teaching and learning methods
plan and implement a clear Annual Review process and lead Annual Review meetings
develop and oversee the implementation of the school's SEND strategy and policy
lead a small team of therapy assistants to ensure therapeutic interventions are delivered and progress is made
carry out assessments of pupils with SEND to identify needs and monitor progress - including observations in the classroom and meeting with teachers and parents
work with classroom teachers, teaching assistants, parents and relevant external agencies to develop, implement and monitor individual support/learning plans
provide regular updates on pupil progress through written reports and meetings with parents
make referrals and liaise with professionals outside of the school - this could include psychologists, health and social care providers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists
provide advice, guidance and training to classroom teachers on supporting pupils with SEND
support teachers to develop schemes of work and learning programmes for pupils with SEND
support teachers to develop and implement effective teaching and behaviour management approaches in the classroom
manage and advise on the school budget and resources for SEND provision
develop and maintain systems for keeping pupil records, ensuring information is accurate and up to date
analyse school, local and national data and develop appropriate strategies and interventions
manage SEN teachers, teaching assistants and support staff to improve pupil progress and attainment
keep up to date with national and local policies related to SEN and cascade information to colleagues.

About Us

The Lion Works School is an Independent special school. We are part of an ethical and progressive organisation that believes it can achieve real change for children, young people and their families. The Lion Works School is situated within the BCP local authority. We offer an academic and vocational specialist learning provision across KS3, KS4 and Post 16 aiming to reduce barriers to enable successful learning experiences and outcomes. There are a variety of routes a student can take, which include GCSEs, BTECs and other accredited qualifications whilst building confidence, improving wellbeing, enabling self-regulation and increasing attendance. Our school is full of life and has a wealth of resources to spark interest and ignite that passion to achieve, equipping our students for everyday life and the opportunities that await them.

Equal Opportunities:

The Lion Works School will seek to ensure that all existing and potential employees and students are given equal opportunities for employment and education. It is committed to the elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, age, marital status, colour, race, nationality or other ethnic or national origin, disability, sexuality, trade union membership or activity and religious background. The school will seek to ensure that no applicant for employment or education is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified. The school aims to provide an open welcoming and safe environment for all its students, employees, and visitors.

Safeguarding:

The Lion Works School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be conducted; references will be sought, and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted, you will be required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

Other jobs like this

Similar