St Giles School, Croydon (CR2 6DF)Leadership Scale: To be confirmed | Full time,1 Year Fixed Term with potential for permanencyStart Date: As soon as possible (Summer Term 2026 or September 2026)
Salary Range: Leadership Scale Points 6-12 (Outer London) £62,677-£72,009
We are delighted to advertise for the post of Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning / Inclusion at St Giles School, Croydon, a specialist school for pupils aged 2–19 with complex health needs, physical disabilities and associated learning difficulties. The school delivers education across PMLD and SLD pathways, through pre‑formal, semi‑formal and formal learning approaches, underpinned by high expectations, consistency and first‑class teaching for all pupils.
The Role
This is a key Senior Leadership role with strategic responsibility for Teaching & Learning and Inclusion. Working closely with the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, the post holder will drive and secure consistently high-quality teaching across the school, ensuring that all pupils benefit from highly effective, inclusive practice and a strong Total Communication approach.
We are seeking an exceptional and experienced leader. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of three years’ senior leadership experience with a proven track record of securing measurable improvements in teaching and learning and/or inclusion.
This post requires a leader who is confident in holding others to account, able to secure consistency across teams, and committed to ensuring that teaching is consistently strong or better across all pathways.
Applications are welcomed from colleagues in both specialist and mainstream settings who can demonstrate expert-level pedagogical knowledge, a deep understanding of inclusive practice, and the ability to translate this into consistently high-quality provision for pupils with complex needs.
St Giles School was judged Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection (April 2023). We are ambitious for the future and are committed to delivering highly effective, bespoke learning experiences that enable every pupil to achieve their full potential.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching & Learning
Lead and embed first‑class teaching across all phases and pathways
Secure a consistent approach to teaching and learning school‑wide
Champion and embed a Total Communication approach and provide strategic oversight of all areas of inclusion
Use evidence and data to evaluate impact and drive improvement
Support staff development through coaching and professional learning
Ensure equality of access to learning for all pupils
Monitor the impact of inclusion strategies on pupil outcomes
Leadership, Behaviour and Safeguarding
Provide leadership oversight of student behaviour, promoting calm, safe and purposeful learning environments
Ensure safeguarding is embedded in daily practice and systems
Support the day‑to‑day leadership and management of the school
Work collaboratively with SLT and middle leaders to ensure coherence and shared accountability
We Are Looking for a Leader Who:
Is passionate about transforming children’s lives
Is an excellent classroom practitioner with strong SEND experience
Has proven leadership impact in teaching and learning and/or inclusion
Understands and champions Total Communication
Values consistency, clarity and high expectations
Is reflective, forward‑thinking and committed to professional development
We Offer:
The opportunity to make a real difference to exceptional pupils
A welcoming, supportive and skilled staff team
A committed and knowledgeable governing body
A bespoke programme of high‑quality CPD
A caring and inclusive school community
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The school follows safer recruitment procedures. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service.
How to Apply
Please complete an application form and submit a supporting statement addressing the job description and person specification.
Email: Margaret Booker on mbooker2.306@lgflmail.org
Closing date: 09:00 am, Thursday 21 May 2025Interviews: Friday 22 May 2025
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. If you are appointed, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings which are not protected (i.e., that are not filtered out*), as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended).
You will also be required to disclose any other information that would suggest that you may be unsuitable to work with children. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from taking up appointment; it will depend on the nature of the offence(s) and their relevance to the post you are applying for.
However, should you not declare any of the above and this is subsequently revealed, for example through the DBS check, then this may place your employment in jeopardy.
Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence and with due regard to the ROA and data protection legislation. *Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’ meaning that they are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.
All guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found in the DBS filtering collection on the goverment website and further information on disclosing a criminal record can also be obtained fromNacro. It is a criminal offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Online Searches following shortlisting:
In line with the statutory guidance document Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023), the school will conduct online searches after the shortlisting process for any candidates who accept an invitation to interview. The purpose of the online search is to uncover any information that may suggest the candidate is:
• a potential safeguarding risk
• their appointment may damage the reputation of the school or;
• they are unqualified for the role they have applied for.
No recruitment decision will be made solely on the basis of an online search and all relevant information uncovered will be discussed with the applicant at interview. All online searches will be conducted by individuals who are not involved in any other aspect of the recruitment process. No irrelevant information uncovered will be provided to the staff responsible for interviewing the job applicant. All candidates will be treated consistently.
The same online search for all shortlisted candidates will be undertaken consisting of:
• A Google search of the candidate’s name linked to their current employer, previous employer, educational institutions attended, previous job titles and news articles
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