Associate Assistant Headteacher - Behaviour & Attendance (DDSL)

Location: Colchester, Essex
Salary: Leadership Scale L5-L8 ( 57,137- 61,534 per annum) (September 2026 pay award pending)
Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Are you an experienced teacher or middle leader ready to take the next step into senior leadership? Do you have a passion for improving outcomes for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

We are recruiting on behalf of a specialist Alternative Provision/Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Colchester for an outstanding Associate Assistant Headteacher - Behaviour, Attendance & Culture (DDSL).

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated leadership team committed to transforming the lives of young people who require specialist educational support. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and school culture while supporting pupils to achieve positive educational outcomes.

As Associate Assistant Headteacher, you will:

• Lead behaviour, attendance and school culture across the provision.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
• Develop and embed trauma-informed and restorative behaviour strategies.
• Support pupils with SEMH needs, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and complex educational needs.
• Lead staff through coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Use attendance, behaviour and progress data to drive school improvement.
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, mainstream schools, Local Authorities, Social Care, CAMHS and SEND professionals.
• Contribute strategically as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

We're looking for a resilient, compassionate and ambitious education leader who has:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - essential.
• Experience teaching secondary-aged pupils.
• Leadership experience within a school, Alternative Provision, PRU, SEMH or specialist setting.
• Excellent knowledge of behaviour management and safeguarding.
• A strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and restorative approaches.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH, SEND, EBSA or those at risk of exclusion.
• The ability to inspire staff, build positive relationships and lead change.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Whether you're an experienced Assistant Headteacher or an ambitious middle leader ready for your first senior leadership position, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting difference in a specialist educational setting where relationships, inclusion and pupil success are at the heart of everything.

Benefits include:

• Leadership role within a supportive Senior Leadership Team.
• Excellent CPD and leadership development opportunities.
• Opportunity to influence whole-school strategy.
• A rewarding role supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in education.
• Permanent, full-time position with leadership salary.

• Leadership Scale L5-L8 ( 57,137- 61,534)
• September 2026 pay award pending
• Permanent contract
• Full-time position

Interview Date: Tuesday 14th July 2026

To apply, please submit your CV as soon as possible. Early applications are encouraged as interviews may be arranged before the closing date for suitable candidates.

This role is subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, verification of qualifications (including QTS), right to work checks and all safer recruitment requirements in line with current safeguarding legislation.

INDELSEC