Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral Support and Inclusion)
Full-time | Location: EAST FINCHLEY
Start date: SEPTEMBER

About the Role We are seeking an inspirational and strategic Assistant Headteacher to lead and develop pastoral support and inclusion across the school.
This is a key leadership role focused on ensuring that every pupil—regardless of need or circumstance—can access learning, feel safe, and thrive. You will shape whole-school systems, lead inclusive practice, and drive initiatives that have a lasting impact on pupils and their families.

Main Purpose of the Role

• Lead and develop the school’s pastoral support provision with a strong focus on inclusion
• Ensure all pupils, including those with additional needs, are fully supported and included in school life
• Design, implement, and evaluate whole-school strategies that promote wellbeing, engagement, and access to learning

Why This Role Matters
Pastoral care and inclusion are central to our ethos. This role ensures that vulnerable learners are not only supported but actively enabled to succeed. You will lead systems that directly improve attendance, engagement, emotional wellbeing, and educational outcomes.

Key Areas of Responsibility You will provide strategic leadership across the following areas:

• Parental Engagement Strategy – Strengthen home-school partnerships to support pupil wellbeing and progress
• Support for Anxiety-Related Absence – Develop accessible curriculum pathways and re-engagement strategies, including remote learning
• Personalised Timetables – Oversee provision and casework for pupils requiring highly individualised support
• Regulation Support Plans – Lead implementation and staff coaching to ensure consistent practice
• Sensory Environment Adaptations – Improve and coordinate inclusive learning environments
• PSHE and RSE Curriculum Leadership – Ensure statutory, inclusive and accessible curriculum delivery
• Social Understanding Curriculum – Develop provision supporting social communication and emotional literacy
• SCERTS Framework Implementation – Lead training and embedding of SCERTS across the school
• Transitions Support – Improve support for micro-transitions and major pupil transitions between phases or settings

Leadership Responsibilities

• Contribute to whole-school leadership and improvement planning
• Deputise for senior leaders when required
• Engage with governance and Trust-level leadership, providing data-informed reporting
• Lead and develop staff through coaching, CPD, and performance management
• Support recruitment, induction, and professional development of staff
• Model inclusive and therapeutic approaches to teaching and learning

Safeguarding and Pastoral Systems

• Ensure safeguarding is embedded across all pastoral and inclusion work
• Lead systems for assessment, monitoring, and intervention planning
• Track pupil progress through person-centred plans and EHCP targets
• Work closely with families and external agencies to support holistic outcomes

Collaboration and External Working

• Build strong partnerships with families
• Work with multidisciplinary and external professionals to support complex needs
• Contribute to multi-agency approaches to pupil wellbeing and inclusion

Policy, Data, and Resources

• Develop and implement inclusion and pastoral policies
• Use data effectively to monitor impact and inform decision-making
• Manage and oversee budgets linked to pastoral and inclusion provision

Person Specification Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Relevant professional development in SEND, inclusion, pastoral care, or SCERTS
• Leadership training (desirable)

Experience

• Experience teaching in a school setting
• Leadership of pastoral and/or inclusion initiatives
• Experience supporting pupils with SEND, including sensory and anxiety-related needs
• Experience working with families and external agencies
• Experience developing curriculum areas such as PSHE/RSE and remote learning
• Experience coaching and supporting staff

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of SCERTS and therapeutic approaches
• Knowledge of inclusion, differentiation, and sensory-informed practice
• Ability to lead curriculum development and inclusive provision
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Ability to use data to drive improvement
• Understanding of safeguarding requirements
• Financial and budget management capability

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to inclusion and high expectations for all pupils
• Empathy, patience, and a person-centred approach
• Collaborative and solution-focused mindset
• Resilience and professionalism under pressure
• Commitment to reflective practice and ongoing development

Essential Role-Specific Experience

• Leading parental engagement strategies
• Supporting pupils with anxiety-related absence or school avoidance
• Managing complex casework and personalised timetables
• Developing and implementing regulation support plans
• Leading sensory/environmental adaptations
• Leading PSHE and RSE curriculum development
• Implementing SCERTS or similar frameworks
• Supporting transitions across settings and phases
• Coaching staff in inclusive and therapeutic approaches

Desirable Experience

• Senior or middle leadership experience in pastoral or inclusion roles
• Experience in specialist SEND or special school settings
• Training in SCERTS, trauma-informed practice, or sensory integration

Safeguarding Statement We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced safeguarding checks.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background or protected characteristics.