Job Title: Assistant Headteacher - SENDCo

Location: Peak Academy, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 5HD

FTE Salary Range: L10-L14: £64,691 - £71,330

 Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time, All Year Round 

Contract Hours: 32.5 Hrs Per Week

About the role

To view our Applicant Pack, please use the following link: - Applicant Pack

PEAK Academy is looking to appoint an inspiring Assistant Headteacher & SENDCo who is passionate about transforming the lives of children with SEND. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our school’s vision for an inclusive, ambitious, and nurturing learning environment.

As our Assistant Headteacher & SENDCo, you will be a driving force for positive change – working closely with staff, families, and external agencies to ensure every pupil receives the support and opportunities they deserve.  You will lead with expertise, empathy, and determination, ensuring that SEND provision is not just effective, but exceptional.

At The Peak Academy, we support pupils aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. We believe that every young person deserves the chance to unlock their potential, regardless of their starting point. Our goal is simple but profound: to ensure every pupil feels they belong, is empowered to achieve and is equipped to thrive long after they leave us.

We are looking for a person-centered leader who is ready to make a transformational difference. This role is perfect for someone who:

• Is committed to driving school improvement at pace
• Places the young person at the centre of every single decision
• Possesses the resilience and vision to navigate a journey of rapid growth

We also know that to be the best for our pupils, you must be the best version of yourself. We offer:

• A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing
• Significant investment in professional learning and career development
• A supportive, transparent leadership culture

About the successful candidate

We are looking for people who have the following experience and qualities:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Good academic achievement, including an appropriate degree
• Evidence of recent and relevant further professional development in preparation for a leadership role
• Hold the NA SENDCo or NPQ SEN (or commitment to within 2 years)
• Additional SEND qualifications
• Successful leadership and management experience
• Successful leadership as a SENDCo
• An excellent classroom teacher

·   

About the School

PEAK Academy is a day specialist provider of education in Dursley, Gloucestershire for children and young people aged from 11 to 16 years who have an SEMH profile. There are currently 60 pupils on roll but Reach South plans, in partnership with the LA to diversify both number and age range.

PEAK formally joined Reach South in August 2022. The Trust has secured capital to ensure the capacity for growth and diversification.

PEAK’s aim is to build safe independent lives for the SEMH population through a process of understanding, support, and enablement. To achieve this goal the school looks at the unique impact social, emotional, and mental health experiences has on the individual child. From this we aim as a school to personalise the child’s curriculum, care, and therapeutic package to ensure every child achieves and experiences success and independence.

REACH South is a forward-thinking academy trust that puts the child, and their diagnosis first. Springfields Academy, Calne was the first Reach South special school (Ofsted good March 2022. NAS advanced status June 2022) In September 2023 SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspiration Learners) will open. The three schools will work very closely to meet, lead, and shape regional agendas.

This is a unique opportunity to not only join the team at Peak, but also to work for a Trust within a framework of specialist provision. The Trust, our schools, and our pupils require teachers who are looking to be innovative, bold, and collaborative.  You can help to design your pupil’s curriculum and influence their future.  Your work will always be challenging and rewarding as a part of the Reach South Specialist team.

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the South West of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education.  We operate 14 academies in Plymouth, Bournemouth, Dorset and Wiltshire.  We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.

Our core business is delivering exceptional education for children and young people with a mission to help all pupils aspire to achieve beyond the expectations that others put on them.  We do this through the development of a talented and committed workforce. In order to deliver exceptional opportunities for learning, we need highly motivated staff across all parts of the organisation. 

Teachers within Reach South belong to a national community of professionals, and benefit from a wide range of networks and development opportunities across the Trust. In time, our best teachers are able to work across schools, develop specialisms and step up to leadership roles within and beyond their own academy. The Trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, together with high expectations for staff and pupils alike.  

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is 11^th April 2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for w/c 19^th April 2026

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.  

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary plus TPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. 

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.