Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) in Costessey

The Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) will provide strategic leadership for inclusion across the federation, championing an ambitious vision in which all children are successful, regardless of the barriers they face. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that high expectations for achievement, behaviour and participation are consistently embedded across both schools, contributing to the development of an inclusive, aspirational culture throughout the federation.

The role includes overall strategic oversight of SEND. This will include direction of the SENDCo, adding additional capacity where required. The post requires the successful candidate to have or be actively working towards NPQSEN or NASENCo. In addition, the postholder will hold strategic responsibility for children in care, previously looked after children, pupil premium pupils, and other vulnerable groups. To enable strategic capacity, this role is not class-based.

A key focus of the role is to develop and embed processes to enable early, accurate and ongoing assessment of need, ensuring that this informs a continuous cycle of planning, intervention and review that effectively removes barriers to learning and wellbeing. The Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) will ensure that specialist support is deployed appropriately and that provision is pupil‑centred, evidence‑based and impactful.

Working collaboratively across the federation, the postholder will engage pupils, parents, staff and external agencies in shared decision‑making, ensuring that pupils' voices, aspirations and outcomes are heard.

We warmly encourage an informal conversation or visit to the school with the Headteacher, offering the opportunity to see the community first‑hand and explore the role in more detail. Please contact Sara El Oakley, Headteacher.

The Active Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to actively share this commitment. All adults working in our Trust in whatever capacity will be part of a thorough safer recruitment process. All appointments will be subject to pre‑employment checks including the taking of satisfactory references and enhanced criminal record clearance in line with the need to create and maintain a safe culture.

The Active Learning Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advert closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

To ensure we recruit and retain the best talent, all new employees recruited to the Active Learning Trust (leadership, teaching and support staff) will be subject to a 6 months' probation period at the start of their employment. This policy aims to assess new employees' alignment with our culture, teaching standards, and student needs. It is designed to foster success; with regular evaluations and support mechanisms in place, helping us to identify and nurture talent.

We value diversity and welcome applications from all, including those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act. Flexible working will be considered for all roles deemed suitable.