Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead – Special Educational Needs (SEN) School
About Us
We are seeking to appoint experienced Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead. You must be enthusiastic about improving the lives of pupil’s with Autism and their families and be committed to learning and developing your own skills and abilities.
The Assistant Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead will use, develop and share knowledge and understanding of ABA/VB approaches and methodology within all teaching opportunities and ensure that personal knowledge of ABA/VB is kept up to date and share expertise with staff.
Snowflake School is a small, specialised school dedicated to providing high-quality education and support to pupils with special needs using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis.
We are a vibrant, inclusive SEN school dedicated to empowering children and young people with a range of special educational needs to achieve their full potential.
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.00 pm + Mandatory Training until 5.00 pm one day per week
Position: Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Reports To: Head Teacher
Location: Primary and Secondary Snowflake school site
Contract Type: Full Time with a permanent contract offered subject to a successful probation period. Term time only.
Salary Range: Leadership Scale (as per pay framework)
The Role
We are seeking an inspiring and dynamic Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead. to join our senior leadership team. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our vision, driving school improvement, and ensuring exceptional outcomes for our pupils.
In addition, to act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), to take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local safeguarding partnership procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence
Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school
Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy
Promote a culture and practices that allow all pupils to access the curriculum
Have ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEN and disabilities
Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs, and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND Code of Practice
Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence
Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
Ensure the use of evidence-informed approaches to reading so all pupils are taught to read
Support curriculum development and assessment practices
Monitor and evaluate standards of teaching and pupil progress in designated areas
Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate efficiently
Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care
Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
Ensure effective use of budgets and resources
Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context
Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
Performance manage middle leaders, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account for their performance
Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high-standard professional development opportunities
Seek training and continuing professional development to meet their own needs
Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including online safety, in accordance with KCSIE and school policies
Manage referrals to children’s social care, the Channel programme, and other relevant agencies
Liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and other safeguarding partners as appropriate
Maintain accurate, confidential, and secure safeguarding records and ensure effective information sharing with staff and external agencies
Lead, train, and support the safeguarding team, including Deputy DSLs
Provide staff training and updates on safeguarding matters and ensure all staff understand their safeguarding duties
Advise and support staff on child welfare and safeguarding concerns
Ensure safeguarding is embedded in the school’s culture, curriculum, and policies
Report regularly to the Headteacher and Trustees on safeguarding matters
Act as a Mental Health and Well Being Senior Lead across the school, managing the team of mental health leads and ensuring wellbeing of staff and pupils at all times is the highest priority
Oversee transition opportunities to post 16 provision
Engage in professional learning and keep up to date with statutory safeguarding guidance
Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Headteacher
About You
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial SEN experience.
Proven leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Strong understanding of SEN pedagogy, assessment, and behaviour support.
Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
A commitment to inclusion, equality, and continuous improvement.
Why Join Us?
A supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking leadership team.
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 27/02/2026
Expected start date: As soon as possible
Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead will carry out. The post holder will be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role.
The School reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the published end date should it receive sufficient applications to warrant earlier shortlisting.
Snowflake school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Snowflake School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status
