If you are committed to enriching and improving the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, if you would like to join a team which delivers an exciting and diverse curriculum which is not driven by the National Curriculum or exam outcomes, and if you want to work in a vibrant Special Academy – we want to hear from you.

Students are taught through a differentiated and bespoke curriculum designed to enhance academic and social development, with a strong emphasis on independence skills. The curriculum delivers a thematic, cyclical approach to provide a meaningful and interesting context for the development of basic skills, knowledge and understanding while providing the relevant National Curriculum requirements. Classes are grouped into stage, not age, allowing for innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning and are taught predominantly by one class teacher, supported by additional class adults.

The Academy provides support for the social and emotional needs of students through a qualified and skilled therapeutic team, underpinned by a pastoral support team. The offer to students is enhanced by additional specialist therapies and interventions. Our focus is to recruit teachers who are keen to grasp the possibilities offered by the Academy where practice is based on SEN pedagogy and evidence: who would relish getting involved in exciting national professional development projects, and who want to work as part of a multidisciplinary and specialist team. The teaching team actively informs developments and collectively identifies the best ways to improve the school further. 

The Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion, SEND and Personal Development will provide strategic leadership for inclusive provision, EHCP processes and personal development across Northern House Academy. The postholder will work in close partnership with the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) to ensure that inclusive provision and pastoral systems are aligned.

Together, the Co-Headteachers and Assistant Headteachers provide complementary leadership across curriculum, inclusion and pastoral systems. This ensures that teaching, provision and wellbeing are fully aligned, enabling pupils to feel safe, included and able to learn.

The role focuses on ensuring that provision is consistently high quality and enables pupils to participate fully in school life and achieve strong outcomes. The Assistant Headteacher will oversee EHCP provision and statutory processes including Annual Reviews, ensuring provision aligns with pupils’ individual outcomes. The role will also lead the academy’s Personal Development and PSHE curriculum, supporting pupils to develop the knowledge, confidence and independence needed to thrive in education and beyond.

The Assistant Headteacher will act as Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, promoting the educational achievement and wellbeing of pupils in care.

The role includes a 0.4 teaching commitment, modelling inclusive and relational classroom practice

Please see the attached pack for details of the role.