Are you an ambitious, compassionate educational leader looking for a pivotal permanent role where you can combine strategic pastoral leadership with SEN expertise to transform outcomes for vulnerable young people?
We are currently partnering with a highly respected specialist SEN school in Cambridge to recruit an outstanding, visionary Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) / SENCO on a full-time, permanent basis, offering a salary of up to £46,000 (depending on experience).
In this dual-focus senior leadership role, you will hold whole-school responsibility for the strategic direction of pastoral care, safeguarding, pupil well-being, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. Working directly alongside the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will cultivate a safe, inclusive, and nurture-focused school culture, oversee the statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process, and empower staff to deliver exemplary support for pupils with complex needs, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges.
Key Role Details:
- Position: Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) / SENCO
- Location: Cambridge
- Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
- Salary: Up to £46,000 per annum (DOE)
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Senior Leadership: Form part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), driving whole-school improvement, fostering a positive pastoral ethos, and embedding inclusive practices across all key stages.
- Pastoral Care & Behaviour: Lead the pastoral strategy, overseeing pupil well-being, attendance, positive behaviour support, and trauma-informed interventions to minimise barriers to learning.
- SENCO Leadership: Oversee statutory SEN provision and EHCP management-from initial assessments and target-setting to conducting annual reviews and liaising with Local Authority SEN teams.
- Multi-Agency & Safeguarding Liaison: Act as a key leadership link (working alongside the DSL) for external agencies, including Educational Psychologists, Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, CAMHS, and social care professionals.
- Staff Coaching & CPD: Line manage and mentor pastoral staff and learning support leads, delivering high-quality CPD on de-escalation, emotional regulation, and differentiated SEN teaching.
- Family Partnerships: Build strong, compassionate, and transparent relationships with parents and carers, ensuring families feel supported and actively involved in their child's holistic development.
Candidate Criteria & Requirements:
- Qualifications:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS.
- National Award for SEN Co-ordination (NASENCO) qualification (or Postgraduate NPQ for SENCOs / NPQSL).
- Experience: Proven track record in a middle or senior leadership role (e.g., Assistant Headteacher, Head of Year, Pastoral Lead, or SENCO) within a specialist SEN school, alternative provision, or inclusive mainstream setting.
- Deep knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice, statutory EHCP frameworks, safeguarding procedures, and trauma-informed pastoral strategies.
- Inspiring leadership and interpersonal skills, with the emotional resilience, empathy, and authority to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex pastoral cases.
- A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).
What The School Offers:
- Permanent Senior Leadership Security: A full-time, contracted executive leadership position offering long-term stability and strategic influence.
- Competitive Remuneration: Salary scale up to £46,000 per annum, directly reflective of your qualifications and experience.
- Dedicated Administrative & Pastoral Support: Access to dedicated administrative assistance for EHCP documentation and an established pastoral team.
- Professional Development: Continuous senior leadership mentoring, regional networking, and accredited executive training opportunities.
Ready to lead pastoral excellence and SEN provision in Cambridge?
Step into a deeply fulfilling, high-impact senior leadership role today.
How to Apply: Please forward your up-to-date CV and a brief covering letter outlining your pastoral and SEN leadership experience to richard.wilkinson@randstad.co.uk or call 01223 368836 for a confidential discussion regarding this permanent position in Cambridge.
We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.
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