Assistant Headteacher (SENCo)
We are looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate leader with high expectations of themselves and others, who will champion our most vulnerable learners, grow the expertise of every teacher, and work closely with families and specialists so that every student achieves well, whatever their starting point.
The successful candidate will play a central role in setting the vision, culture, and strategy for whole school inclusion and SEND provision. You will lead our SEN team including an Assistant SENCO, SEND Administrator, HLTA’s and Teaching Assistants and champion high expectations and adaptive teaching across every classroom.
This appointment coincides with an exciting transformative period: Gosford Hill is undergoing a multi-million-pound rebuild under the DfE School Rebuilding Programme, offering the successful candidate the unique opportunity to help shape new SEND spaces.
If you are interested in the post, please complete an application form outlining your reasons for applying and your suitability for the post. The closing date for receipt of applications is 9 am on Monday 23rd November 2026; however, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date if we receive applications that meet the criteria. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Interview date: Thursday 26th November 2026.
If you would like a confidential conversation about the role, please email jobapplications@gosfordhillschool.org or telephone Nicola Cooke on 01865 374971.
Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.
OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.
OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.
OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.
Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our “Working in RLT” guide.
This role includes regulated activity relevant to children.
The River Learning Trust and Gosford Hill School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The River Learning Trust is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all staff, free from discrimination and harassment.
For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered
