Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Lead / SENCO
Start Date: Autumn Term 2026 or January 2027 (for the right candidate).
Are you ready to be the co‑architect of a school where background never dictates destiny?
We are looking for an inspiring, tenacious, and dynamic Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Lead / SENCO to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is a highly visible leadership role for an exceptional practitioner who wants to shape the strategic direction of our school, mentor dedicated colleagues, and champion our most vulnerable learners.
Willow Brook Primary School is a vibrant, one form entry school in Colchester where diversity is celebrated, potential is unlocked, and community is everything. With 39% of our pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and 31% speaking English as an additional language, our school is wonderfully diverse, deeply rewarding, and full of unique opportunities. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in all areas, we boast extensive grounds, an exceptional Early Years provision, and a whole‑school, shared responsibility for reading.
The Role
Strategic, impactful, rewarding. As our Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Lead, your influence will be felt in every corridor, classroom, and colleague conversation. You will work in lockstep with the Headteacher to manage colleagues and resources, formulate strategic aims, and step up to fully deputise in the Headteacher's absence.
- Cultivating Culture & Inclusion – Act as our lead practitioner for SEND. Champion Quality First Teaching, turn our SEN policy into classroom reality via the graduated approach, and be the vital link to external agencies.
- Driving Curriculum & Assessment – Partner with the Headteacher to monitor classroom standards and rigorously analyse data. Keep English and Maths at the centre of our strategy and model exceptional practice when teaching.
- Developing & Empowering Colleagues – Lead whole‑school CPD, mentor colleagues across all career stages, run appraisals, and remain mindful of colleague workload and well‑being.
- Strengthening Partnerships – Be a highly visible, approachable anchor for parents and hard‑to‑reach families to improve attendance, while actively collaborating across the 45 academies in the Kemnal Academies network.
Who You Are
You are a proactive, reflective leader who can balance deep empathy with professional challenge. The ideal candidate will bring:
- The NASENCO qualification (or a commitment to achieving it rapidly), alongside a deep understanding of the SEN Code of Practice and primary curriculum.
- Outstanding communication skills, with a proven ability to build trust with children, colleagues, outside agencies, and parents.
- A data‑driven mindset, capable of evaluating the progress of pupils with additional needs and translating those findings into targeted interventions.
- A collaborative spirit, ready to work alongside the Governing Body, Local Authorities, and the broader TKAT network to drive educational standards.
- An unwavering commitment to the safeguarding, equity, and well‑being of all pupils.
- Why Choose Willow Brook and the Kemnal Academy Trust – investing in our employees' wellbeing and career development is an absolute priority for us.
We can offer you
- Vast Career Progression – Ongoing CPD and excellent promotion opportunities across TKAT, one of the largest Multi‑Academy Trusts in the South & East of England.
- Elite Leadership Support – Tailored coaching, mentoring, and a comprehensive induction programme from the academy’s experienced leadership team.
- A Culture of Work‑Life Balance – A friendly, collaborative environment where flexible working practices are actively promoted.
- Comprehensive Benefits – Access to vast Trust planning resources, an Employee Assistance Programme (free & confidential physical, mental, and financial advice), cycle‑to‑work schemes, and free eye tests.
Our Commitment – Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At TKAT, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at TKAT – should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
