Assistant Principal - Inclusion - Polam Hall School (Woodard Academies Trust)

Assistant Principal - Inclusion
Closing date:                 27/09/2026
Interviews held w/c:      07/10/2026
Start date:                    January 2027
Salary:                          Leadership Scale 11-14
Contract type:               Full time - Permanent (37 weeks term time)

Polam Hall School wish to appoint a forward thinking and enthusiastic Assistant Principal – Inclusion, to commence in January 2027.

We seek a full time Assistant Principal to work as part of the Senior Leadership Team contributing to the strategic leadership of Polam Hall School. The role reports to the Vice Principal of Character and Flourishing, and will manage the SEND Manager, SEND Lead Practitioners, SEND Administrator and Alternative Curriculum Lead.

The role will act as the school SENco and be responsible and accountable for Inclusion across the school. You will have oversight of Inclusion in its widest sense and SEND provision across the school with the aim of closing gaps for our vulnerable pupils. You will develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for inclusion across the school.

You will take responsibility for the Inclusion and SEND elements of the School Improvement Plan and Self Evaluation, securing the achievement of objectives. You will lead on creating and monitoring the school’s published inclusion strategy and ensure that the school carries out its statutory duties regarding SEND pupils, including responding to consultations.

You will also work with More Able Pupils, as the More Able Pupil Co-Ordinator and ensure that there is consistent identification of More Able pupils and a coherent programme to develop their aptitudes and aspirations.

Please see the attached job description and Information Pack for further detailed information regarding the role.

Our School:

Polam Hall School is a 4 – 16 all-through academy and is part of Woodard Academies Trust. We have 850 pupils on roll, with one and a half forms of entry in our Primary Phase and four forms in our Secondary Phase. Polam Hall is a school with a unique and long history which today is proud to be a fully comprehensive school serving the young people of Darlington. Our mission is to educate the whole child, developing leadership, compassion, character and academic ambition, through the combination of our Academic and Concordia Crescimus curricula. We have high expectations and aspirations for every member of our school community.

Polam Hall is a community where staff and students work together for common goals. We make every effort to develop our staff team, offering professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of a wider Trust, yet retaining the friendly atmosphere of a small school. We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to join our team, who have children at the heart of their practice and who will help us to drive forward our aim: to deliver an outstanding education to every single one of our pupils.

Visits to the school are welcome.  If you would like to visit or to discuss the post further please contact the administration team: View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

Please note you should use the supporting statement section of the application form to clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements outlined in the person specification. The information in this section will be used to shortlist applicants for the role and therefore it is important that you provide enough detail to give a full picture of your skills and experience and what you can contribute to teaching and learning at Polam Hall.

Polam Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.