Assistant Headteacher SENDCo

Are you a passionate and dedicated educator who believes in the transformative power of excellent teaching? St Ives School is seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic leader (maternity cover) who is passionate about improving the life chances for students in our community.

The successful applicant will contribute to the leadership of sustained improvement of the school by improving the quality of provision (curriculum and pedagogy), securing student engagement and leading professional development of colleagues. We are looking for someone to maintain the relentless focus of the school community on raising standards in teaching and learning and provision so that all students make rapid and sustained progress in their academic, social and personal development. They will take responsibility for key aspects of school development.

Of crucial importance to us, our successful applicant will be a determined and resilient team player whose vision and principles fully align with our school’s ethos of high academic expectation and aspiration for all. We are looking for someone who will take on a key senior leadership role within our thriving school and who will be able to get the best out of those they work with, for, and alongside. They will share our dedication to education and removing barriers for our students, and will have a relentless and ambitious determination to support our students to develop the character and knowledge that will help them flourish and succeed in life.

What we offer:

As part of our leadership team, the successful candidate will benefit from:

A fully planned and resourced curriculum: Teachers at St Ives School draw from a fully resourced lesson suite, personalising and tailoring learning for their classes

Teacher iPad, with full training on digital pedagogy and 21 st Century best practice

Regular coaching and support – every teacher at our school has a one to one coach, with time set a side for a three-week coaching cycle throughout the year

Potential to rent our onsite school house at a discounted rate

This is an exciting time to join St. Ives School – our positive, relationship-focussed approach makes our school a rewarding and positive place to work. The school is a key part of our special community. We would love you to be a part of our ongoing success!

About You:

As part of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, our staff benefit from stability, support, and a wide range of opportunities for professional development and collaboration. Joining our team means becoming part of a larger community of educators dedicated to excellence in education.

Located in one of the most beautiful areas of West Cornwall, St Ives School offers the opportunity to live and work in a stunning coastal environment. With close access to picturesque towns and villages, the famous Penwith coastline, and easy access to the A30, our school provides an idyllic setting for both work and leisure.

If you are passionate about education, dedicated to your own professional development and are committed to inspiring and empowering students, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join us at St Ives School. Come and be a part of our journey as we deliver excellence in education! Apply today and embark on an enriching and rewarding career in one of Cornwall's most picturesque locations.

At St Ives School we see our staff as our most important resource. The successful candidate will have our full support in their ongoing career development.

Benefits of Working with Us:

As a leading Academy Trust, we are able to offer our staff a range of continued professional development opportunities alongside family friendly policies and access to the Local Government/Teachers Pension Schemes. More on our benefits can be found here .

How to Apply and Further Info:

To be considered for this role, please click the “Apply” button above to submit your online application.

The closing date and time for receiving applications is 11.00pm Sunday 15th November 2026.

If you wish to discuss this position ahead of applying, please contact Andrew Oates, Headteacher: aoates@stives.tpacademytrust.org

Telephone: 01736 795608

Interviews to be held week commencing TBC

If you encounter any issues with the online application, please contact the Talent Team for assistance at Talent@tpacademytrust.org.

TPAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application as part of their pre-employment administration. The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Other pre-employment checks will include receipt of two satisfactory references, evidence of right to work in the UK, proof of any relevant qualifications and completion of a health assessment questionnaire.