Assistant Headteacher


Company:	Include St Matthews
Salary:	£43,000 to £45,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Derby, DE22 1DQ
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	22 Sept 2026
Closing date:	7 Oct 2026

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Summary

Include | St Matthews are looking for an Assistant Headteacher to lead on Behaviour, Personal Development and Wellbeing at our therapeutic special school in Darley Abbey. This is a leadership role with a part-time teaching commitment attached, so you'll stay connected to the classroom while shaping how the whole school supports pupils with SEMH needs and Autism.

You'll be working within a trauma-informed, relational approach, deputising for the Headteacher, and leading a staff team who are genuinely invested in getting this right for pupils who haven't always had it easy elsewhere.

What the role involves

You'll oversee behaviour, attendance, personal development and pastoral support, making sure they work together rather than as separate boxes to tick. Alongside that, you'll teach part of the week, model good practice for other staff, and line manage a team of teachers and middle leaders. You'll also support the SENDCo with pupils who have EHCPs (this role doesn't hold day-to-day SEND coordination), and you may act as DSL or Deputy DSL, subject to training.

What we're looking for

QTS and a degree, plus at least three years of solid classroom experience. You'll need to have led some aspect of school improvement before, and have experience managing or developing staff. We're looking for someone values-driven, resilient under pressure, and genuinely warm with pupils — someone who puts their wellbeing and sense of belonging first, not just their behaviour data.

A relevant leadership qualification (NPQSL or NPQH) or NASENCO is a bonus, not a requirement. So is experience with attendance systems, personal development programmes, or supporting pupils who've struggled with emotionally based school non-attendance.

Why work for us

small class groups, so you can really get to know your pupils and give them the attention they need

A flexible approach to teaching and behaviour support, built around what actually works for each child

Shorter teaching hours than typical mainsteam timetable, giving you more time to plan, reflect and recharge

Full training and ongoing support in trauma-informed-practice - SEMH/SEND experience isn't essential

A warm, collaborative staff team genuinely invested in your development

Visits welcome

We warmly welcome visits from interested candidates, or an informal chat about the role, before you apply.

Safeguarding

Include Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, prohibition checks, satisfactory references, and safer recruitment vetting in line with statutory guidance.

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