At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead inclusion efforts and support pupils with special educational needs in a dynamic school environment.
- Company: Join a nurturing academy committed to high standards and inclusive education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, generous pension, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to fostering an inclusive school culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for education and experience in supporting pupils with SEND.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 £ per year.
As SENCO and Inclusion lead, you'll be a high‑quality teacher with a passion for supporting pupils with special educational needs. The postholder is responsible for ensuring that inclusion drives whole‑school standards so that pupils with SEND achieve highly within the same ambitious culture as their peers. The Assistant Principal for Inclusion is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and shares collective responsibility for the day‑to‑day leadership and strategic direction of the academy. The postholder is also a member of both the Teaching and Learning Team and the Safeguarding Team, ensuring inclusion is embedded across school standards, safeguarding practice and staff development.
The SENCO/Inclusion Lead should be prepared to lead on such areas as:
- Inclusive Provision & Statutory Processes
- Identification, assessment and review of pupils with SEND in line with the Code of Practice
- Effective implementation and review of EHCPs and graduated response provision
- Completion of statutory documentation and coordination of external professional involvement
- Teaching & Classroom Practice
- High‑quality adaptive teaching across the academy so pupils with SEND access the full curriculum
- Training, coaching and support for teachers and co‑teachers to meet pupil needs effectively
- Deployment and development of support staff to maximise impact on learning
- Pupil Support & Wellbeing
- Provision for pupils with SEMH and additional needs, including the academy’s mental health support
- Early identification and intervention through multi‑agency working
- Successful transition into, within and beyond the academy
- Partnerships & Communication
- Productive relationships with families and external agencies
- Clear communication of pupil needs and strategies to staff teams
- Collaboration with Ark and Local Authority services to secure appropriate support
- Whole‑School Inclusion
- A culture where pupils with SEND are fully included in curriculum, routines and wider school life
- Strategic use of resources to ensure provision is effective and sustainable
As a member of the senior leadership team, the SENCO will also be centrally involved in the overall leadership and management of the academy and will help to establish a school culture that is both nurturing and rigorous.
Outcomes and Activities:
- Teaching & Subject Leadership
- To be an excellent classroom practitioner, undertaking a substantial teaching commitment as a core component of the Assistant Principal role, typically around 1–2 days per week, with the proportion reviewed in line with strategic priorities and school need
- To lead a designated curriculum subject area, ensuring ambitious curriculum intent, clear progression and successful access for pupils with SEND
- To operate as a member of the Teaching and Learning Team, contributing to coaching cycles and whole‑school instructional improvement
- To work alongside teachers through co‑planning, modelling and instructional coaching to embed inclusive classroom practice
- To develop staff expertise in meeting additional needs through professional development, rehearsal and feedback
- To quality assure teaching and provision through lesson visits, work scrutiny and pupil voice, ensuring consistency across classes
- To support subject leaders in adapting curriculum delivery so pupils with SEND achieve within the same ambitious framework as their peers
- Leadership and Management
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, to contribute to the strategic leadership and day‑to‑day management of the academy
- To be accountable for the progress, attainment, attendance and inclusion of pupils with SEND across the academy
- To analyse assessment, behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and implement targeted strategic responses
- To evaluate the impact of provision and interventions, ensuring effective use of staff time and resources
- To line manage co‑teachers and identified support staff, setting clear expectations and developing leadership capacity within the team
- To oversee transition processes and ensure pupils with SEND are prepared for the next stage of education and increasing independence
- To contribute to whole‑school decision making including curriculum, behaviour, safeguarding and staffing priorities
- School Ethos and Culture
- To provide a visible and proactive leadership presence across the academy, including the playground, dining hall and transition points, setting the standard for behaviour, expectations and relational practice
- To ensure behaviour systems and routines are inclusive, consistent and understood by all staff
- To support staff in managing complex pupil needs while maintaining high expectations for learning and conduct
- To undertake regular duties, including gate supervision and end‑of‑day collection, modelling high expectations and building positive relationships with pupils and families
- To lead complex conversations with families regarding provision, support and placement, maintaining trust and clarity
- To work with families and external agencies to secure appropriate support for pupils
Other
Undertake any other professional duties as set down in the Ark schools pay and conditions of service document, and as directed by the principal.
Person Specification: Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead
Benefits:
- Opportunities for career progression
- Admissions priority for children of school’s staff
- Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale
- Twice as many training days as standard
- Generous pension scheme
- Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
- Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a
Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead with DDSL in Croydon employer: Ark Schools
As an Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead at our academy, you will join a supportive and ambitious team dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for all pupils, particularly those with special educational needs. Our commitment to professional development is reflected in our generous training days and career progression opportunities, ensuring that you can grow alongside your colleagues in a nurturing and dynamic school culture. Located in a vibrant community, we offer competitive salaries and unique benefits such as priority admissions for staff children and access to exclusive rewards, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about education and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead with DDSL in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the academy, especially those in leadership roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the school culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the school's ethos and values. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the school community. Tailor our responses to reflect their mission and how we can contribute to it.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for inclusion! Bring examples of how we've supported pupils with SEND in the past. We need to demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive environment and how we can lead others in this area.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows our enthusiasm for the role and appreciation for their time.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead with DDSL in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting pupils with special educational needs shine through. We want to see how much you care about inclusion and how it drives your teaching approach.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills in inclusive teaching and leadership. We love seeing how you've made a difference in the classroom or school community!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Assistant Principal, SENCO and Inclusion Lead. Highlight your experience with statutory processes and how you've successfully implemented EHCPs in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ark Schools
✨Know Your SENCO Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest SEND legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented inclusive strategies in your previous roles, and have examples of how you've supported pupils with special educational needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare to talk about your experience in leading teams, managing staff, and how you've contributed to a positive school culture that prioritises inclusion.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Think of specific situations where you've had to deal with complex pupil needs or challenging behaviours. Be ready to share these experiences and explain how you approached them, focusing on collaboration with families and external agencies.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the academy's approach to inclusion. Inquire about their current strategies for supporting pupils with SEND and how they measure success in this area.
