Job Title: Assistant Headteacher
Location: Bridge House School
Salary: Competitive - depending on experience and in line with pay scales
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Headteacher
Role Purpose
The Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion & EHCP Lead) will provide strategic and operational leadership for:
- Whole-school inclusion strategy
- EHCP quality, compliance and impact
- SEND systems, provision mapping and outcomes
- Multi-agency working and LA relationships
- Safeguarding and vulnerable learners (as DSL lead)
This role ensures that every pupil’s provision is lawful, personalised, high quality and impactful, and that the school is fully compliant with statutory duties.
Strategic Responsibilities
- Lead and shape the school’s inclusion, SEND and EHCP strategy
- Be the school’s strategic lead for EHCPs and statutory processes
- Ensure full compliance with: SEND Code of Practice, Independent School Standards, Ofsted EIF
- Lead on: Provision mapping- Outcomes frameworks, Impact measurement
- Contribute to whole-school leadership, vision, culture and standards
- Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
EHCP & Statutory Leadership
- Have strategic oversight of: EHCP quality, annual reviews, Interim reviews, Outcomes and provision compliance
- Ensure: All provision is delivered as written, all EHCPs are up-to-date, lawful and robust
- Lead: LA liaison and negotiations, tribunal preparation (if required), parental consultation and co-production
- Quality assure: Advice submissions, review paperwork, professional report
Inclusion & SEND Systems
- Design and oversee: Whole-school inclusion model, graduated response systems, provision mapping, intervention frameworks
- Ensure high-quality personalised learning, consistent SEND practice across the school, Trauma-informed and autism-informed approaches
- Monitor progress, engagement, regulation and attendance, behaviour, suspensions, and reintegration strategies
Teaching, Learning & Curriculum
- Work with the Headteacher, Deputy Head Teacher and curriculum leads to ensure: Curriculum is accessible, adaptive and ambitious and pathways are meaningful and aspirational
- Ensure: Teachers plan effectively for EHCP outcomes, teaching reflects neurodiversity-affirming practice
- Lead staff training in: Autism, SEMH, complex needs, differentiation and adaptive teaching
Staff Leadership & Development
- Line manages: Teaching Assistants, Therapies or specialist teams (if applicable)
- Lead inclusion training programme, quality assurance cycles, coaching and professional development
- Build a culture of high expectations, warmth and structure, consistency and professionalism
Safeguarding & Pastoral
- Act as DSL
- Oversee vulnerable pupils, multi-agency plans, risk assessments and support plans
- Ensure strong information sharing, robust record keeping, child-centred decision making
Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Monitor and evaluate EHCP delivery, intervention impact, teaching quality for SEND
- Prepare evidence for Ofsted, LA audits, registration and inspections
- Lead on policies for SEND, Inclusion, Behaviour, Safeguarding (with Head)
Person Specification
Essential
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Senior leadership experience in SEND / alternative / specialist provision
- Deep knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes, Autism and complex needs
- Experience of working with LAs
- Experience of annual reviews and statutory processes
- Experience of multi-agency working
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
Desirable
- NASENCo or NPQ in SEN or Senior Leadership
- Experience in growing provision
- Experience with tribunal work
- Specialist or independent schools
- Background in Autism, SEMH, or complex needs settings
Safeguarding
Bridge House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, references, and safer recruitment procedures
Work Location: In person
