Assistant Headteacher (SENCO and Inclusion)

Full Job Description

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Job Title:  Assistant Headteacher (SENCO and Inclusion)
Location:  Norton College – Worcester, Worcester WR5 2BA
Hours:  40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:  £50,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

As Assistant Headteacher (SENCo & Inclusion) at Norton College Worcester, you will play a key role in shaping an inclusive, ambitious learning environment for all students. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership in SEND, ensuring that provision across the school is effective, compliant, and supports strong outcomes for children and young people with diverse and complex needs.

You will work closely with external partners—including local authorities, health and social care professionals, and specialist agencies—to ensure a consistent, high‑quality approach to assessment, intervention, transition and ongoing support. Working alongside the Deputy Headteacher, you will drive curriculum innovation, ensuring the curriculum is appropriately designed, implemented and accessible for all learners.

Central to your role will be overseeing statutory responsibilities for students with EHCPs, ensuring reviews are well‑coordinated, paperwork is completed to a high standard, and meetings are effectively chaired. You will support staff in understanding the needs of SEND learners, promoting inclusive practice and establishing processes that allow all students to access the curriculum and make strong progress.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Provide strategic leadership for SEND and Inclusion as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Work with the Deputy Headteacher on curriculum design and implementation to meet pupil needs
• Ensure effective SEND provision that supports improved progress and outcomes
• Oversee statutory responsibilities for students with EHCPs, including organising and chairing Review Meetings
• Coordinate communication with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring timely sharing of information
• Promote a culture of inclusion and ensure systems, policies and practices enable full curriculum access
• Monitor pupil progress and contribute to whole‑school evaluation and improvement
• Support staff across the school in understanding and meeting the needs of SEND learners

Essential Qualifications

• SENCo qualification (or working towards)
• QTS

About Us

Norton College is a specialist independent school for students aged 11–19, with sites in Worcester and Tewkesbury. We support young people with a range of complex learning needs through vocational pathways and bespoke learning packages, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need for life beyond education.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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