Assistant Headteacher

Senior Leader / Assistant Head

School: Amwell View School

Location: Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire (SG12 8EH)

Salary: L12–L21

Interviews: ongoing

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity at an established, repeatedly Outstanding special school for pupils aged 2–19 with Severe Learning Difficulties.

Due to the specialist nature of provision, you must have recent experience working in a setting that supports learners with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Amwell View has grown significantly and now operates across multiple sites, including innovative satellite provisions and a planned secondary expansion. You would join at a point of strategic growth, with the chance to shape provision across a developing multi-site model.

This role would suit an experienced special school senior l leader ready to widen their influence, contribute to whole-school strategy, and strengthen therapeutic practice and culture.

Why Join Amwell View?

Work in a Consistently Outstanding School

• Rated Outstanding across multiple Ofsted inspections, most recently 2024
• Strong, stable leadership
• Clear long-term vision and growth plan

Be Part of Strategic Expansion

• Established main site plus three satellite provisions
• Secondary expansion planned (2028)
• Opportunity to shape systems, culture and provision across sites

Lead in a Therapeutic, Child-Centred Culture

• Strong emphasis on communication (Makaton, symbols, SALT partnership)
• Therapeutic thinking embedded in behaviour support
• Multi-disciplinary working is routine, not occasional

Genuine Investment in Staff Development

• Clear commitment to growing internal talent
• Active support for leadership progression
• Involvement in CPD delivery, mentoring and safer recruitment
• Strong culture of professional reflection and improvement

Exceptional Learning Environment

• Therapy swimming pool
• Sensory room
• Soft play
• Dance studio
• Specialist teaching spaces across sites
• Dedicated community classroom provision

What You’ll Gain

• Senior leadership influence in a large, complex special school
• Strategic involvement in school improvement planning
• Line management and staff development experience
• Deputy DSL experience
• Exposure to satellite provision leadership
• Experience contributing to expansion and capacity growth

This role is a great opportunity to contribute meaningfully to direction, culture and standards across a growing organisation.

Ideal Background

The school is looking for:

• Strong special school experience (SLD/PMLD)
• Experience leading teams and improving teaching
• Knowledge of SEND curriculum planning
• Commitment to therapeutic approaches

If you are an experienced SEND leader looking to broaden your strategic impact within an established and expanding Outstanding school, this is a strong platform.

To discuss the role in further detail, please contact Alpha Parish (from our retained search consultants, Academicis) in the first instance: aparish@academicis.co.uk | 07436 971517