Assistant Headteacher – ARBs & Specialist SEND Development

Pencalenick School, Cornwall

Salary: L9

Contract: Full time, permanent

Base: Pencalenick School (with weekly travel across four Area Resource Bases) - Falmouth Primary, Mt Charles, Brannel & Bude.

Interview date: 17th March 2026

Pencalenick School is seeking an ambitious, values-driven Assistant Headteacher to lead our Area Resource Bases (ARBs) and to further develop specialist SEND practice across the school.

This is a key senior leadership role, working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to ensure consistently high-quality education, care and wellbeing for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the future direction of our specialist provision, supporting staff development and ensuring pupils thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

About the School and Trust Pencalenick School is part of the Special Partnership Trust, an ambitious and inspirational partnership committed to outstanding learning. The school supports secondary-aged pupils with complex SEND needs on its main site and through four Area Resource Bases embedded within mainstream schools across Cornwall.

The Role The Assistant Headteacher will:

· Provide strategic and operational leadership across the ARBs

· Develop and embed high-quality specialist SEND practice across the school

· Ensure strong teaching, learning and assessment, including robust baseline and moderation processes

· Line manage and support Team Leaders, teachers, HLTAs and support staff

· Work closely with parents, carers and multi-agency partners

· Contribute to whole-school self-evaluation, improvement planning and strategic leadership

· Promote pupil wellbeing, safeguarding and positive behaviour in partnership with the DSL

The Ideal Candidate We are looking for a leader who:

· Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

· Has leadership experience, ideally within a special school or SEND context

· Is an outstanding practitioner who leads by example

· Can inspire, motivate and support pupils and staff

· Has strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

· Demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and equality

A relevant leadership qualification and experience of leading change in complex settings are desirable.

Safeguarding The Special Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, qualification checks and health clearance.

Pencalenick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of checks and references, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

If you have the commitment, energy, initiative and drive to help us meet our core values, then we welcome your application.

Please visit the school website www.pencalenick.org for further information and an application pack.

Completed applications should be returned to secretary@pencalenick.org for the attention of Mrs L Wills by 11/03/2026.