[261029A] Assistant Headteacher - Inclusion

Post: Assistant Headteacher - Inclusion

Location: Courtlands School, Widney Lane, Plymouth, PL6 5JS

FTE Salary Range: Leadership Scale L9 - L14; £63,070 - £71,330

Contract Type: Permanent, full time

Contract Hours: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

To find out more about the role and the Trust, please view our Applicant Pack - Assistant Headteacher Applicant Pack

Help create a school where every child is known, valued and supported to thrive.

At Courtlands School, our pupils arrive with a wide range of strengths, needs and experiences; we aim to provide an ambitious, inclusive and nurturing education that prepares them for successful futures.

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) to join our leadership team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of our journey. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educational leader who is driven by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and who can champion inclusion across all aspects of school life.

About Courtlands

Courtlands School is a specialist school in Plymouth serving pupils with moderate learning difficulties and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school has made significant improvements in recent years and is recognised for its positive relationships, strong safeguarding culture, personalised approach and commitment to preparing pupils for adulthood.

Our staff are proud of the difference they make, and our pupils benefit from a warm, welcoming environment where they feel safe, valued and listened to.

As we continue our improvement journey, our focus remains on securing excellent outcomes for every learner through high-quality teaching, meaningful inclusion and a curriculum that enables all pupils to flourish.

The Role

As Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion), you will work closely with the Head of School, Trust Executive Team and Regional Director to ensure that every pupil receives the support, opportunities and educational experience they need to thrive.

You will provide strategic leadership for inclusion and will champion the achievement, wellbeing and personal development of all pupils, particularly those with additional needs and vulnerabilities.

We are particularly seeking a leader who:

• Is passionate about inclusion and improving life chances for children with additional needs.
• Has a strong understanding of SEND, adaptive teaching and inclusive practice.
• Can support colleagues to translate ambitious curriculum intentions into accessible learning experiences for all pupils.
• Understands how effective behaviour, attendance and pastoral systems contribute to successful inclusion.
• Can lead and develop others through coaching, collaboration and professional trust.
• Uses evidence and evaluation to drive sustainable school improvement.
• Builds strong relationships with pupils, families and external agencies.
• Maintains the highest expectations for safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and achievement.

You will play a central role in ensuring that every pupil can access an engaging curriculum that develops communication, literacy, independence and preparation for adulthood, while ensuring barriers to learning are identified and addressed effectively.

Who We're Looking For

We know that excellent leaders come from a wide variety of educational settings.

You do not need previous experience in a specialist school or SEND setting to apply.

What matters most is your commitment to inclusion, your ability to lead people and improve practice, and your determination to ensure that every child achieves their potential.

If you are an ambitious SENDCo, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or experienced middle leader looking for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

At Courtlands School, you will find:

• A school with a clear moral purpose and values-driven culture.
• Dedicated and skilled staff who care deeply about pupils and each other.
• Pupils who are engaging, rewarding and full of potential.
• Strong support from trust leaders and colleagues.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• The opportunity to shape inclusive practice across a specialist setting.
• The privilege of making a profound difference to the lives of children and families every day.

This role is about much more than leading inclusion. It is about creating opportunities, removing barriers and ensuring that every child is able to experience success, belonging and achievement.

If you are a compassionate and ambitious leader with a passion for inclusion, high expectations for all pupils, and the warmth and determination to help shape a remarkable school community, we would be delighted to hear from you.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

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 15th November 2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for 14th December 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.