About the Role

Sir William Romney’s School is seeking to appoint an Assistant Headteacher (SENDCo) to join our leadership team at an exciting point in the school’s journey. This is a pivotal role for an ambitious and positive leader who is passionate about inclusive education and eager to make a tangible difference across the whole school community.

The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEND provision while playing a strategic role in shaping whole-school improvement. Working closely with colleagues, families and external professionals, the Assistant Headteacher: SENDCo will ensure that all pupils with SEND are supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will add capacity, energy and expertise, contributing directly to our shared purpose of Striving for Excellence Together.

About Our School

Sir William Romney’s School is a thriving 11–16 comprehensive school in Tetbury, at the heart of the Cotswolds. With around 500 students on roll, we are a close-knit community where staff know students well and have a genuine opportunity to shape their lives now and in the future. We are proud of our comprehensive ethos and unwavering commitment to ensuring every child succeeds.

Our focus is on the holistic development of every student. Alongside strong academic outcomes, we place great value on enrichment, extra-curricular opportunities and student leadership. We are renowned for excellent pastoral care, and this culture of care extends to both students and staff. Everything we do is underpinned by our purpose in Striving for Excellence Together.

Working at Sir William Romney’s

We are a welcoming, supportive and caring workplace where staff enjoy their work, develop their practice and feel proud to be part of our community. Staff wellbeing is taken seriously and supported through a range of approaches, including:

• Polite, courteous students who take pride in their school
• A behaviour policy that supports staff in running calm, purposeful classrooms
• A highly visible and supportive Senior Leadership Team and Middle Leaders
• Centralised detentions
• Whole-class feedback approaches to reduce workload
• Ongoing collaboration and shared resources
• An SWR lesson model that promotes teacher autonomy while embedding consistent best practice, including Rosenshine and Teach Like a Champion
• A Personal Day during the school year
• Consideration of flexible working requests
• A wellbeing INSET day focused on connection and renewal
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme supporting mental health, financial wellbeing and more

Professional Development and Career Progression

As part of the Athelstan Trust, we benefit from being part of a successful Multi-Academy Trust of five secondary schools and two feeder primary schools, while retaining our strong individual identity. The Trust shares a deep commitment to delivering an excellent comprehensive education for all students and provides opportunities for collaboration and career development across schools.

Striving for excellence applies as much to our staff as it does to our students. Our commitment to professional learning includes:

• A high-quality induction programme, including support for those new to the profession or returning to teaching
• A comprehensive CPD offer, drawing on internal expertise and external specialists
• Access to nationally recognised OLEVI Outstanding and Creative Teacher Programmes and NPQs
• Coaching and mentoring from senior leaders for colleagues new to leadership
• A research-informed Trust-wide CPD programme led by experienced practitioners
• Strong opportunities for career progression

What Our Staff Say

“Sir William Romney’s has a very strong sense of community. Staff are incredibly supportive of one another and always willing to help solve a problem. Working in a small school means you quickly feel part of the community, and the students are the most personable I’ve taught in my ten-year career.”
Katie Tall, Leader of Learning, Science (New Starter 2023)

Location and Accessibility

Our beautiful rural location is easily accessible, with commutes of under 30 minutes from Nailsworth, Stroud, Stonehouse and Cirencester, around 45 minutes from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Swindon and Chippenham, and under an hour from Bath, Devizes and parts of the Forest of Dean.

Safeguarding and Recruitment

To ensure we conduct a fair shortlisting process we use blind shortlisting whereby personal information (such as name, email address, gender and ethnicity) are not made available to the short-listing panel. The Athelstan Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check along with standard pre-employment safeguarding checks. As the role includes working with children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must, therefore, disclose all spent and unspent convictions. References will be sought for shortlisted candidates before interview. Please also be aware that you will be subject to an online check and that you may be questioned about the findings of such a check at your interview.

We are a flexible working employer, and we are willing to make any reasonable adjustments you require during your interview so please ask us.

 Please visit the school website to find out more about our school or you’d be extremely welcome to come for a tour to experience for yourself this fantastic community.