Assistant Headteacher - Heronsbridge School

Start date 01 September 2026

Together We Can

Heronsbridge School is a large, vibrant and deeply values driven special school in the heart of Bridgend. The school currently has 220 teaching and support staff and 290 pupils aged 4-19 with a wide range of additional learning needs. Every day we strive towards realising our sole vision: to prepare our pupils for their next step in life - whatever, wherever and whenever that is - we give them wings, our Herons will fly.

Rooted in our motto Together We Can, everything we do is shaped by compassion, high expectations, and genuine belief in our pupils. Estyn describes our school as one where:

Pupils are happy, safe and enjoy coming to school

Nearly all pupils make extremely strong progress in their learning, and

Leadership and management of the school is outstanding.

This is a special place for pupils and a special place for staff. Our workforce is experienced, dedicated and exceptionally well supported. Estyn states that staff are "highly motivated... access a robust and valuable professional learning programme" and "strive to continually improve their practice to better support the needs of pupils".

We are proud to be:

Investors in People Platinum (and celebrating 25 years of continuous accreditation)

A UNCRC Rights Respecting Gold School

Carnegie Mental Health in Schools Gold Award

Investors in Families Diamond

Welsh Network of Healthy Schools Gold

Actively progressing towards Trauma Informed Schools status

Dog Mentor Gold Award

Eco school's Platinum Award

Heronsbridge is a school that heavily invests in people, believes in professional integrity, and nurtures a culture where everyone, staff and pupils, are truly valued.

About the Role

Due to the retirement of a much valued, long serving member of our leadership team, governors are seeking to appoint an inspirational and hard-working Assistant Headteacher -Learning, to join our experienced and committed team.

This role is vital in shaping our curriculum, driving high-quality teaching and learning, and ensuring our four Heronsbridge values, aligned with the Four Purposes of Curriculum for Wales, are central to the learning experiences we provide.

You will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leaders to sustain and further develop highly effective provision across the school. Your leadership will help ensure our pupil centred, broad, stimulating curriculum continues to evolve, reflecting both our ethos and the complex, diverse needs of our learners.

We are looking for someone who:

Has the heart for special education

You are driven by the belief that every child deserves dignity, challenge, opportunity and fulfilment. You understand the profound impact that relationships, communication and consistency have on learners with a range of needs, from SLD, PMLD to complex ASD.

Is an exceptional ALN practitioner

Your classroom practice is outstanding, you understand the dynamic and evolving nature of a special school, and you bring experience of leading learning across subjects or Areas of Learning and Experience.

Can lead, inspire and develop others

You build trust, value people, and bring out the best in those around you.

You know how to lead improvement, manage change, foster wellbeing, and support a large staff team to thrive.

Is passionate about curriculum and assessment design & development

You understand the Curriculum for Wales, assessment for learning, and the importance of a curriculum that is purposeful, stimulating and fully centred on pupils' needs. You are passionate in capturing and celebrating the progress that learners make through a comprehensive system of assessment.

Is committed to professional learning, for yourself and for others

You will contribute to the highly effective culture of our school through enquiry, reflection and continuous improvement, driven by the Schools as a Learning Organisation model.

Is ready to embrace the opportunities of a growing school

With increasing pupil numbers and a new school build planned, this is an exciting chance to shape the next chapter of Heronsbridge.

Can develop and promote effective partnerships

You will foster effective links with partners including parents, local authority, support services and other educational establishments within the wider community, including the local health board and third-party agencies, to enhance teaching, learning and pupil development.

What we offer you

Pupils who inspire us every day

A passionate senior leadership team and governing body rooted in trust

Highly motivated staff and a strong professional learning culture

Collaborative, skilled and caring colleagues

A school where values are lived with integrity

A commun