Assistant Head Teacher (SENCo) - Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning
Gloucester
Grade Leadership L10 – L14: £64,691 - £71,330
Allowances (Not applicable)
Hours Part Time (32.50 hours)
Contract Permanent
Closing Date: 05/04/2026
Interview Date: TBA
Start Date 01/09/2026
About the role
This is an exceptional and truly exciting opportunity to be a part of the founding leadership team for this new specialist provision.
When Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning (GAIL) opens its doors, the school will launch a new vision to ensure pupils with Moderate and Additional Learning Difficulties (MALD), including those who are autistic, have speech and language differences or present with some social emotional needs are supported and celebrated to achieve their potential.
As a key member of our Founding Leadership Team, you won't just be managing a department; you will be building one. We are looking for a creative, knowledgeable leader who is ready to:
• Design and Implement: Create the systems, assessment frameworks, and therapeutic pathways from the ground up.
• Lead with Passion: Mentor a new staff team, fostering a culture where "child-centered" isn't a buzzword, but a daily practice.
• Drive Innovation: Use your expertise in SEND to ensure our curriculum is accessible, ambitious, and adaptive.
We need someone who is restless for improvement and deeply passionate about SEND. You should be a leader who looks past the diagnosis to see the child, ensuring that every pupil doesn't just "get by," but truly thrives. Your creativity will be your greatest asset as we navigate the unique challenges of opening a brand-new provision.
This role offers the unique chance to collaborate with specialist and mainstream provisions, sharing best practices and driving innovation.
This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and make a profound difference in the lives of our pupils from their very first day of school. Do you want to be part of our journey?
About the successful candidate
We are looking for people who have the following experience and qualities:
• Qualified Teacher Status
• Good academic achievement, including an appropriate degree
• Evidence of recent and relevant further professional development in preparation for a leadership role
• Hold the NA SENDCo or NPQ SEN (or commitment to within 2 years)
• Additional SEND qualifications
• Successful leadership and management experience
• Successful leadership as a SENDCo
• An excellent classroom teacher
About the School
GAIL is a specialist school for 200 pupils aged 4-16 opening at the start of 2027, with pupils phasing into the school across three years.
The school’s designation is Moderate and Additional Learning Difficulties (MALD) and will cater for autistic pupils, those with speech and language differences, SEMH and those with learning differences in their cognitive profiles.
The school is based in the Wheatridge area of Gloucestershire and is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built eco-friendly facility. Every corner of the school building has been designed with our pupils in mind—from the sustainable materials used in construction to the sensory-aware acoustics and layouts. It is a space that breathes calm and inspires growth, reflecting our commitment to both our planet and our children.
About the Trust
Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the SouthWest of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education. We operate 16 academies in Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.
Our core business is delivering exceptional education for children and young people with a mission to help all pupils aspire to achieve beyond the expectations that others put on them. We do this through the development of a talented and committed workforce.
Closing date: for applications is 5 April 2026
Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for w/c 13 April 2026
We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.
Closing date 5th April 1016
Interview Date: W/C 13th April 2026
Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff, and volunteers, to share the same commitment. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To apply, see details to the right of this advert by clicking on 'Website' You may need to scroll down to find the actual advert.
