Assistant Headteacher - Inclusion

Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion | January 2027

By joining St Paul’s Way Secondary School, you will become part of a school with a rich heritage of success. We are the most oversubscribed school in Tower Hamlets and Ofsted rated us ‘Outstanding’ across all categories but one. We have a talented and determined staff body, driven by a mission in providing a transformational education for all our students.

At SPWS, inclusion is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our community. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Aspiration and Community, we hold a collective and unwavering belief that every child can thrive when barriers are removed through strong structures, skilled support and purposeful adult leadership.

The school currently supports a significant number of SEN students (13% of whole school population has an EHCP), making this role a substantial leadership challenge and an exceptional opportunity to shape, refine and strengthen inclusive provision across a large and diverse cohort.

Our inclusive culture is built through:

1. Clear, consistent routines that create psychological safety for all learners
2. Explicit modelling and high expectations for behaviour, attendance and learning
3. Strong pastoral and SEND systems that identify need early and intervene effectively
4. A rigorous data and assessment model that informs personalised support and provision
5. Centralised approaches that reduce staff workload and ensure consistency for students

As a result, we can offer:

1. A calm, ordered and purposeful learning environment
2. Students who feel safe, supported and enthusiastic about school
3. Classrooms free from low-level disruption, enabling high-quality teaching
4. A whole-school commitment to inclusion and collaborative working

We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher) – Inclusion & SEND to join our Senior Leadership Team. This role has a strategic and operational focus on inclusion, SEND and pastoral care, ensuring that the needs of our most vulnerable learners are met without compromise.

You will play a key role in:

1. Leading and developing whole school inclusion and SEND practice
2. Supporting and developing staff to deliver adaptive, inclusive classroom practice
3. Ensuring high quality provision for students with SEND, and those requiring additional pastoral support
4. Working closely with families, external agencies and pastoral leaders to remove barriers to learning
5. Embedding systems and routines that enable students with additional needs to flourish alongside their peers

We are interested in candidates who:

1. Are qualified SENCOs or are willing to undertake the National Award for SEN Coordination
2. Have strong leadership experience and a clear commitment to inclusive education
3. Possess a strong understanding of SEND legislation, graduated responses and effective interventions
4. Are able to inspire, motivate and support staff to meet the needs of all learners
5. Share our belief that high standards and inclusion go hand in hand

Why join us?

1. Professional Development: An excellent CPD package for staff, enhancing your professional development with comprehensive training opportunities.
2. Career Growth: Opportunities for growth and real career development in an encouraging environment with plenty of room for advancement.
3. Supportive Environment: Full support from a dedicated and visible team of senior leaders and pastoral managers.
4. Employee Assistance: Employee Assistance Scheme for access to advice, information, and face-to-face counselling.
5. Staff Wellbeing: A meaningful approach to staff wellbeing, including access to cycle to work.

Interested candidates are encouraged to arrange an informal discussion about the role and/or to visit the school.

These can be organised via the HR team: Telephone - (phone number on the original advert)Email (email address on the original advert)

Early applications are appreciated as interviews will be arranged as and when suitable applications are received.

St Paul’s Way Trust School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS Check.

Click here to view our Safeguarding policy child-protection-safeguarding

We reserve the right to commence or complete the recruitment process prior to the closing date.

We do not accept applications via agencies.