Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead - SEN School in London

We are seeking to appoint experienced Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead. You must be enthusiastic about improving the lives of pupils with Autism and their families and be committed to learning and developing your own skills and abilities. The Assistant Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead will use, develop and share knowledge and understanding of ABA/VB approaches and methodology within all teaching opportunities and ensure that personal knowledge of ABA/VB is kept up to date and share expertise with staff.

Snowflake School is a small, specialised school dedicated to providing high-quality education and support to pupils with special needs using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis. We are a vibrant, inclusive SEN school dedicated to empowering children and young people with a range of special educational needs to achieve their full potential.

Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.00 pm + Mandatory Training until 5.00 pm one day per week

Position: Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Reports To: Head Teacher

Location: Primary and Secondary Snowflake school site

Contract Type: Full Time with a permanent contract offered subject to a successful probation period. Term time only.

Salary Range: Leadership Scale (as per pay framework)

The Role: We are seeking an inspiring and dynamic Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our senior leadership team. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our vision, driving school improvement, and ensuring exceptional outcomes for our pupils. In addition, to act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), to take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence
• Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
• Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
• Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school
• Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school's behaviour policy
• Promote a culture and practices that allow all pupils to access the curriculum
• Have ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEN and disabilities
• Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs, and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
• Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND Code of Practice
• Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
• Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils' knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
• Ensure the use of evidence-informed approaches to reading so all pupils are taught to read
• Support curriculum development and assessment practices
• Monitor and evaluate standards of teaching and pupil progress in designated areas
• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate efficiently
• Ensure staff and pupils' safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care
• Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
• Ensure effective use of budgets and resources
• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school's context
• Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
• Performance manage middle leaders, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account for their performance
• Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high-standard professional development opportunities
• Seek training and continuing professional development to meet their own needs
• Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
• Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including online safety, in accordance with KCSIE and school policies
• Manage referrals to children's social care, the Channel programme, and other relevant agencies
• Liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and other safeguarding partners as appropriate
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and secure safeguarding records and ensure effective information sharing with staff and external agencies
• Lead, train, and support the safeguarding team, including Deputy DSLs
• Provide staff training and updates on safeguarding matters and ensure all staff understand their safeguarding duties
• Advise and support staff on child welfare and safeguarding concerns
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in the school's culture, curriculum, and policies
• Report regularly to the Headteacher and Trustees on safeguarding matters
• Act as a Mental Health and Well Being Senior Lead across the school, managing the team of mental health leads and ensuring wellbeing of staff and pupils at all times is the highest priority
• Oversee transition opportunities to post 16 provision
• Engage in professional learning and keep up to date with statutory safeguarding guidance
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Headteacher

About You:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial SEN experience.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Strong understanding of SEN pedagogy, assessment, and behaviour support.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to inclusion, equality, and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

• A supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking leadership team.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 27/02/2026

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead will carry out. The post holder will be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role. The School reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the published end date should it receive sufficient applications to warrant earlier shortlisting.

Snowflake school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Snowflake School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.