Assistant Headteacher - Quality of Education

Cambian Somerset School is an independent secondary day special school supporting young people with autism located in Somerset very close to Taunton. The school is part of the Cambian Group a federation of 36 special schools across the country.

We are looking for innovative and enthusiastic Assistant Head with the responsibility for the quality of education in the school. We are exceptionally proud of the impact we have made in ensuring the very best for all our pupils now and in the future and welcome candidates who share the ethos of valuing everyone's contribution and working collaboratively with all parties to ensure the very best for pupils.

You will be working in a school which will be both challenging and rewarding where we maintain a strong safeguarding culture, where pupils and staff are listened to, respected and involved in as many decisions as possible.

The Assistant Head (Quality of Education) will work in close proximity with the Headteacher and Deputy Head to provide inspirational leadership and ensure that students thrive, achieve and succeed. Through the formulation of a clear vision, shaping and influencing the direction of the school, they will help it to be successful through the initiation of strategic actions, using the necessary resources to obtain whole school commitment and impact.

As a leader you must have the ambition and desire to make a real difference to improve the academic outcomes and standards across all key stages.

This post holder is responsible for ensuring that students achieve their maximum potential through the quality of education they receive. To secure this you must have a robust understanding and overview of a curriculum which is designed to be rich and varied.

You will support other members of the senior leadership team, middle leaders and other colleagues to enable them to develop appropriate pedagogy to deliver a curriculum that is fit for purpose and enables our students to make strong progress, including in reading.

The Assistant Headteacher will:

• Prioritise their own teaching and the students in their classes, deliver lessons of high quality and be prepared to model effective practice to others


• Demonstrate hope and optimism in all interactions and situations, regardless of the challenges faced.


• Always exercise duties in line with expectations of the whole school organisation


• Accept the views of others, making use of active listening when advising or challenging the work of others


• Will work with the Headteacher, the Deputy Head as well as the senior leadership team to contribute to and communicate the school's shared vision


• Effectively implement the vision through agreed objectives and operational planning


• Motivate others to create a shared learning culture and positive climate


• Demonstrate clear values and moral purpose to others


• Ensure all members of the school community have access to creativity, innovation and new technologies to enable them to achieve excellence.


Cambian is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Cambian is committed to Safeguarding and protecting the young people and service users within our care. All candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and reference checks.

Do you want to teach and lead without the pressures that come from mainstream schools?

Do you want to influence the teaching and learning in a school where you will make a real difference to individual lives?

Do you want to be in a school where work life balance isn't just talked about it's a reality?

"Pupils blossom at this caring and happy school. Staff nurture pupils well and pupils feel valued and safe. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils. Pupils learn to value their education because staff help them experience success." (HMI March 2022)