Permanent
Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion)
Posted on 08 May 26 by Marie Tormey
- Hyde, Greater Manchester
- £59434 - £66629 per Year
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Job Description
Join a forward-thinking school committed to ensuring every child thrives, regardless of background or need. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an experienced inclusion specialist who is ready to shape whole-school practice, influence culture, and drive measurable impact on pupil outcomes. You will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leaders to embed inclusive, aspirational standards across the school.
About the Role:
As Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion), you will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of inclusive practice across the school. You will champion vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, ensuring that systems, teaching, and support are aligned to their needs and that statutory responsibilities are fully met. Working as part of the senior leadership team, you will use data, evidence, and professional expertise to secure sustained improvements in behaviour, attendance, and progress.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the whole-school inclusion strategy, ensuring policies, procedures, and classroom practice promote high expectations and equitable access to learning for all pupils.
* Oversee provision for pupils with SEND, SEMH, EAL, and other additional needs, coordinating interventions, support plans, and multi-agency involvement.
* Monitor and analyse pupil progress, behaviour, and attendance data for key groups, identifying trends and implementing targeted improvement plans.
* Line-manage and develop staff within the inclusion team (e.g. SENDCo, pastoral staff, support staff), setting clear objectives and providing coaching and performance management.
* Lead on safeguarding and child protection within your area of responsibility, ensuring robust systems for identification, reporting, and follow-up in line with statutory guidance.
* Drive consistent behaviour management and restorative practice approaches across the school, supporting staff to apply them confidently and effectively.
* Work with curriculum and teaching leaders to ensure inclusive classroom practice, appropriate differentiation, and effective use of support to raise attainment.
* Report regularly to the Headteacher, governors, and external stakeholders on inclusion outcomes, priorities, and impact.
Key Requirements:
* Proven experience in a middle or senior leadership role within a school setting, with a strong track record in inclusion, pastoral, or SEND leadership.
* Demonstrable expertise in strategic planning for inclusion and implementing whole-school improvement initiatives.
* Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge, including up-to-date understanding of statutory guidance and best practice.
* Advanced skills in data analysis and pupil progress tracking, with the ability to translate findings into targeted action plans.
* Confident in behaviour management and restorative practice, with experience of supporting staff to manage complex behaviour.
* Excellent leadership and team management skills, including the ability to motivate, challenge, and develop colleagues.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with pupils, staff, parents, and external agencies.
* High level of personal resilience, professional integrity, and commitment to inclusive education.
Desirable Skills:
* Experience working with external agencies and professionals to support pupils with complex needs.
* Involvement in whole-school safeguarding leadership or acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
* Experience of leading training and professional development on inclusion, behaviour, or safeguarding.
* Familiarity with restorative justice approaches and trauma-informed practice in school settings.
* Experience in successfully raising outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
Qualifications:
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
* Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject area.
* Evidence of sustained professional development in inclusion, SEND, safeguarding, or behaviour (e.g. NPQ, SENDCo qualification, safeguarding training).
* Postgraduate or specialist qualifications related to inclusion, SEND, or educational leadership (desirable).
If you are a driven, reflective leader with a passion for inclusive education and the skills to deliver whole-school impact, you are encouraged to apply and help shape the next phase of the school’s development.
All appointment are subject to:
How to apply:
For further information, please contact the team today on 0330 1244 363 or email us enquiries@matrecruitment.com
This recruitment process is carried out in accordance with MAT Recruitment Ltd's Safer Recruitment Policy, the REC Education Audit Framework (Placement 2020) and Keeping Safe in Education (2025).
About the Role:
As Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion), you will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of inclusive practice across the school. You will champion vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, ensuring that systems, teaching, and support are aligned to their needs and that statutory responsibilities are fully met. Working as part of the senior leadership team, you will use data, evidence, and professional expertise to secure sustained improvements in behaviour, attendance, and progress.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the whole-school inclusion strategy, ensuring policies, procedures, and classroom practice promote high expectations and equitable access to learning for all pupils.
* Oversee provision for pupils with SEND, SEMH, EAL, and other additional needs, coordinating interventions, support plans, and multi-agency involvement.
* Monitor and analyse pupil progress, behaviour, and attendance data for key groups, identifying trends and implementing targeted improvement plans.
* Line-manage and develop staff within the inclusion team (e.g. SENDCo, pastoral staff, support staff), setting clear objectives and providing coaching and performance management.
* Lead on safeguarding and child protection within your area of responsibility, ensuring robust systems for identification, reporting, and follow-up in line with statutory guidance.
* Drive consistent behaviour management and restorative practice approaches across the school, supporting staff to apply them confidently and effectively.
* Work with curriculum and teaching leaders to ensure inclusive classroom practice, appropriate differentiation, and effective use of support to raise attainment.
* Report regularly to the Headteacher, governors, and external stakeholders on inclusion outcomes, priorities, and impact.
Key Requirements:
* Proven experience in a middle or senior leadership role within a school setting, with a strong track record in inclusion, pastoral, or SEND leadership.
* Demonstrable expertise in strategic planning for inclusion and implementing whole-school improvement initiatives.
* Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge, including up-to-date understanding of statutory guidance and best practice.
* Advanced skills in data analysis and pupil progress tracking, with the ability to translate findings into targeted action plans.
* Confident in behaviour management and restorative practice, with experience of supporting staff to manage complex behaviour.
* Excellent leadership and team management skills, including the ability to motivate, challenge, and develop colleagues.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with pupils, staff, parents, and external agencies.
* High level of personal resilience, professional integrity, and commitment to inclusive education.
Desirable Skills:
* Experience working with external agencies and professionals to support pupils with complex needs.
* Involvement in whole-school safeguarding leadership or acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
* Experience of leading training and professional development on inclusion, behaviour, or safeguarding.
* Familiarity with restorative justice approaches and trauma-informed practice in school settings.
* Experience in successfully raising outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
Qualifications:
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
* Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject area.
* Evidence of sustained professional development in inclusion, SEND, safeguarding, or behaviour (e.g. NPQ, SENDCo qualification, safeguarding training).
* Postgraduate or specialist qualifications related to inclusion, SEND, or educational leadership (desirable).
If you are a driven, reflective leader with a passion for inclusive education and the skills to deliver whole-school impact, you are encouraged to apply and help shape the next phase of the school’s development.
Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment
MAT Recruitment and our partner schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.All appointment are subject to:
- Enhanced DBS (including barred list check)
- Identity and Right to Work verification
- Two satisfactory reference confirming suitability to work with children
- Verification of qualifications
- Online searches for shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment process (KCSIE 2025)
- Clarification of any employment gaps
How to apply:
Please complete our online application form — CVs alone will not be accepted.
For further information, please contact the team today on 0330 1244 363 or email us enquiries@matrecruitment.com
This recruitment process is carried out in accordance with MAT Recruitment Ltd's Safer Recruitment Policy, the REC Education Audit Framework (Placement 2020) and Keeping Safe in Education (2025).