The posting
WARREN WOOD SCHOOL
Assistant Headteacher
Full Time | Leadership Scale L6-L10
Are you ready for your next leadership challenge?
Warren Wood School is looking for an enthusiastic, inspirational and reflective Assistant Headteacher to join our senior leadership team and help lead the school through its next exciting stage of development.
Warren Wood is a specialist SEND school for pupils aged 2-11, with a wide range of complex, severe and moderate additional needs, including autism, communication and interaction differences and associated learning needs.
We are looking for a leader who shares our high expectations for every pupil, believes passionately in the potential of children with SEND and is excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to their learning, development, independence and future life chances.
Following a successful Ofsted inspection in May 2026, which recognised the school's strong curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance, and early years provision, we are excited to build on this strong foundation and continue our journey of school improvement.
Our ideal Assistant Headteacher will be a visible, approachable and collaborative leader who puts pupils at the heart of decision-making and is committed to ensuring that every child is supported to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and personally.
We strongly encourage prospective applicants to come and see Warren Wood for yourself. A visit is an opportunity to meet our team, see our pupils and experience the warm, purposeful and positive environment we are proud to create.
As Assistant Headteacher, you will have the opportunity to:
- Promote a strong culture of wellbeing, inclusion, positive relationships and belonging, ensuring that every pupil feels valued and able to participate fully in school life.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the school's vision, priorities and strategic direction.
- Further develop a coherent and ambitious programme of personal development, including PSHE, RSE, safeguarding, enrichment, pupil voice and wider opportunities, appropriately adapted to meet the needs of our pupils.
- Lead designated areas of school improvement, using evidence, research and school data to identify strengths, priorities and impact.
- Support, coach, challenge and develop staff to ensure consistently high-quality provision for all pupils.
- Promote high-quality, personalised and adaptive teaching and learning that responds effectively to pupils' diverse starting points and needs.
- Contribute to quality assurance across the school and support the evaluation of the impact of teaching, curriculum and wider provision.
- Work closely with pupils, staff, families, governors and external agencies to develop strong and positive relationships.
- Contribute positively to our senior leadership team and wider school community.
- Take an active role in safeguarding and undertake the responsibilities of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is an enthusiastic, motivated, reflective and visible leader.
- Has experience of leading improvement and can demonstrate positive impact for pupils and/or staff.
- Has high expectations and a strong commitment to improving outcomes, independence and life chances for pupils with SEND.
- Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Is able to support, coach and challenge colleagues in a positive and constructive way.
- Has a strong understanding of SEND and current educational practice.
- Understands what high-quality teaching, learning and personal development look like for pupils with a wide range of needs.
- Is passionate about promoting pupil wellbeing, personal development and positive life experiences.
- Is confident in using evidence and information to identify priorities, evaluate impact and drive improvement.
- Is committed to developing their own leadership and supporting the professional growth of others.
- Shares our belief that every pupil can learn, achieve, communicate, develop independence and thrive.
In return, we can offer:
- A supportive, welcoming and hardworking school community where relationships really matter.
- A dedicated and highly skilled staff team with a wealth of expertise and a genuine commitment to our pupils.
- Professional development and support to help you grow and succeed in your leadership role.
- A strong culture of collaboration, coaching and continuous professional learning.
- Supportive governors and a committed senior leadership team.
- Positive relationships with families, external agencies and our wider community.
- The opportunity to lead significant areas of school improvement and make a genuine difference to the lives of pupils with SEND.
- Protected leadership time to enable you to fulfil the responsibilities of the role effectively.
- The opportunity to work in a school where there is always something to learn and celebrate.
Why Warren Wood?
This is an exciting opportunity to join our leadership team at an important point in Warren Wood's development.
The specific areas of responsibility will be shaped by the needs and priorities of the school, alongside the successful candidate's individual strengths, experience and professional interests.
The post includes a teaching commitment appropriate to the role and the needs of the school.
We encourage applicants to see how we operate within our school so please call 01427 615498 to arrange a visit.
Safeguarding
Warren Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure, satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks. Applicants may be subject to a social media presence check.
