SEN Headteacher / Experienced Deputy Headteacher in Cornwall

SEND Inclusion Support is proud to be recruiting on behalf of one of our valued partner schools for an exceptional senior leader to join a brand-new specialist independent school for children aged 4-11 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), often alongside complex learning, communication and sensory needs. Due to the critical importance of this appointment, our client has reviewed the recruitment criteria and is now welcoming applications from very experienced Deputy Headteachers as well as established Headteachers. This is a rare opportunity to help establish and shape a brand-new specialist provision from the outset, playing a pivotal role in developing its culture, curriculum, staffing, systems and approach to supporting children with complex SEND.

The Role

As a founding senior leader, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, helping to ensure the provision delivers an exceptional standard of education, care and support from day one. You will have responsibility for areas including:

• Developing and embedding the school's vision, values and culture.
• Supporting curriculum development and delivery.
• Leading on safeguarding and pupil welfare.
• Recruiting, supporting and developing a high-performing specialist team.
• Establishing robust quality assurance and school improvement processes.
• Building strong relationships with families and external professionals.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant SEND, education and safeguarding requirements.
• Creating a nurturing, trauma-informed and autism-informed environment.
• Promoting high expectations and exceptional outcomes for every pupil.

Who We Are Looking For

We are interested in hearing from:

• Experienced Headteachers looking for an exciting opportunity to establish and lead a new specialist provision.
• Very experienced Deputy Headteachers who are ready to take the next step into Headship and have the leadership experience, vision and capability to help establish a new school.
• Senior leaders from both primary and secondary backgrounds with strong specialist SEND, autism or complex-needs experience.

You will ideally have:

• Proven senior leadership experience within a school or specialist education setting.
• Strong experience working with children with autism and/or complex SEND.
• QTS and relevant leadership experience or qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND legislation and school improvement.
• The ability to inspire, lead and develop a dedicated team.
• Excellent communication and partnership-working skills.
• A clear commitment to personalised, inclusive and aspirational education.
• The vision, resilience and leadership capability required to help shape a new school from the outset.

Applicants from both primary and secondary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For an experienced Deputy Headteacher, this could represent an exciting opportunity to take the next step into Headship and play a significant role in establishing a new specialist provision.

In Return

Salary of up to £85,000 per annum, dependent on experience. The opportunity to become a key founding leader within a brand-new specialist school. The opportunity to shape the school's culture, curriculum and systems from the outset. A genuinely exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference to children with autism and complex SEND. Professional development and career progression opportunities. The opportunity to work alongside a committed team focused on delivering exceptional specialist provision.

Interested?

If you are an experienced Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher looking for an exciting new challenge and believe you have the leadership experience and vision to help establish this specialist provision, SEND Inclusion Support would love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion or to find out more about this opportunity, please contact SEND Inclusion Support.

SEND Inclusion Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and appropriate references.