SENDCo - Assistant Headteacher


Company:	Teaching Vacancies
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Canterbury, CT3 3BS
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	16 Oct 2026
Closing date:	31 Oct 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

Join Our Team as SENDCo - Assistant Headteacher

Are you a passionate and ambitious leader with a commitment to inclusion and excellence? Do you believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their starting point or individual needs? We're seeking a dedicated and dynamic SENDCo - Assistant Headteacher to join our leadership team and help shape the next stage of our school's journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead with Vision and Purpose: Inspire colleagues through strong leadership and a shared commitment to high expectations for all pupils. Play a key role in driving school improvement and shaping our inclusive culture.

• Champion SEND and Inclusion: Lead our SEND provision, ensuring children receive the right support at the right time. Promote inclusive practice across the school so that every pupil can access a high-quality education.

• Break Down Barriers to Learning: Identify and remove barriers that prevent children from achieving their potential. Work strategically to improve outcomes for pupils with additional needs and those facing disadvantage.

• Build Strong Partnerships: Work closely with staff, children, families and external agencies to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils. Foster trusting relationships that place children at the centre of decision-making.

• Develop Staff Expertise: Support and challenge colleagues to deliver ambitious, adaptive teaching. Lead professional development that strengthens inclusive practice across the school.

• Promote Wellbeing and Personal Growth: Ensure that children feel safe, valued and supported to become confident, resilient learners who are empowered to succeed.

Ideal Candidate

• An experienced and highly effective teacher with a passion for inclusion and SEND.

• Holds, or is willing to work towards, the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO).

• Proven track record of improving outcomes for children with additional needs.

• Passionate about enabling every child to access, participate and achieve.

• Able to lead strategically whilst maintaining a child-centred approach.

• Committed to creating a positive, inclusive and ambitious learning environment.

• An excellent communicator who can build strong relationships with pupils, families, staff and external partners.

This full-time role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our school community. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a vital role in shaping provision for some of our most vulnerable learners whilst contributing to the wider strategic direction of the school.

Join us at the heart of our local community and help ensure that every child receives the support, challenge and opportunities they need to flourish. We look forward to welcoming an SENDCo - Assistant Headteacher who shares our vision, values and unwavering commitment to inclusion.

We warmly invite all interested candidates to join us for a tour of Aylesham Primary School. During the visit, you'll have the opportunity to meet our Headteacher, learn more about our vibrant school community and see first-hand the positive impact we have on our pupils. Please contact the school office to arrange a tour.

To apply for this position please complete EKC Schools Trust Application Form 2026 (Fillable Form) and email to recruitment@aylesham.kent.sch.uk

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close this advert early should a suitable candidate be found.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and two successful references. In line with KCSIE guidance, paragraph 220, all candidates who are shortlisted may be subject to an online search. This search is not part of the shortlisting process itself and all shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to address any issues of concern resulting from the search.

To apply for this position please complete EKC Schools Trust Application Form 2026 (Fillable Form) and email to recruitment@aylesham.kent.sch.uk

What the school offers its staff

EKC Schools Trust is committed to the continuous professional development (CPD) of all staff. We provide access to a range of learning and development opportunities, including formal training courses, workshops, webinars, conferences, and professional qualifications.

Employees are encouraged to maintain and enhance their skills through role-specific training, knowledge-sharing activities, mentoring, coaching, and regular development discussions. We support career progression by helping staff identify development goals, build new competencies, and access opportunities that contribute to both their professional growth and the success of the Trust.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Apply for this job