Assistant Principal - Inclusion (SENCO) in London

About us and the role

Are you a passionate and strategic leader committed to inclusive education? We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Principal – Inclusion (SENCO) to join our senior leadership team and drive outstanding outcomes for all learners. This is a pivotal role where you will shape and lead whole-school inclusion, ensuring every pupil—regardless of need or background—can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

About the Role

Working closely with the Principal, you will lead the strategic development and daily implementation of SEND and inclusion provision across the school. You will champion high standards, ensuring all pupils—including those with SEND, EAL, and those in receipt of Pupil Premium—make strong progress. You will also take on key safeguarding and wellbeing responsibilities, including:

• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
• Designated Teacher for Looked After Children
• Senior Mental Health Lead

This role includes a reduced teaching timetable, allowing you to maintain classroom practice while driving whole-school improvement.

Why should you apply

You will be working in a fantastic environment. Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

• Great opportunities for professional development
• Teacher pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well‑being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle‑to‑work Scheme

What will you do?

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead and develop the school’s SEND and inclusion strategy
  • Oversee Pupil Premium provision, ensuring impactful interventions and strong outcomes
  • Monitor progress and attainment of key pupil groups
  • Contribute to the School Improvement Plan and self-evaluation processes
  • Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and inclusive best practice
• SEND & Inclusion Management
  • Lead the day-to-day operation of the SEND policy
  • Maintain accurate SEND records, provision maps, and data analysis
  • Coordinate targeted interventions and evaluate their impact
  • Provide expert guidance and training to staff
  • Manage and deploy Teaching Assistants effectively
• Pupil Support & Safeguarding
  • Champion early identification and effective support for pupils with additional needs
  • Work closely with families, staff, and external agencies
  • Oversee EHCP processes and ensure high‑quality provision
  • Promote inclusion across the curriculum and wider school life
  • Support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing as Senior Mental Health Lead
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Line manage and develop staff, including Teaching Assistants
  • Lead professional development (INSET) on inclusion and SEND
  • Work in partnership with the Trust Inclusion Lead and external agencies
  • Act as a key point of contact for the Local Authority and other services

What are we looking for?

• A qualified teacher with SENCO experience or accreditation (or willingness to achieve)
• Proven leadership experience with a strong commitment to inclusion
• Excellent knowledge of SEND, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing
• A strategic thinker with the ability to drive measurable impact
• Strong interpersonal skills to build effective partnerships with staff, families, and external agencies

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

Further information

Pre-employment checks Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks. Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics. Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.