Assistant Headteacher - Math's, Data and Assessment

New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust is a vibrant, aspirational and inclusive multi-academy trust of eight special schools and two specialist post-16 provisions across Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale. As part of the wider New Bridge Group there are also two post-19 provisions. Our settings support a wide spectrum of needs from age 4-19 and beyond. The Trust is proud to be national leaders in Special Education and has a culture of creating outstanding opportunities for all.

Thomas Ashton School is entering an exciting and deeply purposeful phase of development. We are seeking an Assistant Headteacher for Maths, Data and Assessment who believes that progress is about far more than numbers, and who has the courage, clarity and compassion to lead assessment that truly serves our pupils.

This is not a role about spreadsheets. It is about story, growth, dignity and possibility.

Our pupils present with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Many have experienced disrupted education, trauma and failure. Progress here is nonlinear and deeply personal, and it deserves to be recognised, understood and championed by a leader who truly “gets it”.

Why this role matters?

As Assistant Headteacher Maths, Data and Assessment, you will play a central role in shaping how we:

• Teach Maths in ways that reduce anxiety, build confidence and promote genuine mastery
• Capture progress holistically, valuing small steps, re-engagement, resilience and readiness to learn
• Design assessment systems that are relevant, user friendly and traumainformed
• Use data intelligently, ensuring it supports learning rather than drives it
• Tell each pupil’s learning story with integrity, confidence and clarity

You will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing wholeschool improvement and ensuring assessment reflects the lived reality of SEMH learners; academically, emotionally and developmentally.

This is not simply joining a school; it is helping create the next chapter of a specialist SEMH provision within the highly respected New Bridge MAT.

Your Leadership Will Make the Difference

In this role, you will:

• Lead Maths, wholeschool data and assessment with clarity and moral purpose
• Design and refine assessment systems that recognise academic, emotional and behavioural growth
• Champion qualitative, narrative and triangulated evidence, alongside proportionate quantitative data
• Support staff to make confident, professional judgements without fear or overload
• Use assessment diagnostically to inform teaching, intervention and curriculum adaptation
• Articulate and champion SEMH appropriate progress models to governors and external stakeholders
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues through high quality CPD and modelling
• Maintain a teaching commitment appropriate to a senior leadership role

At every level, you will model relational, traumainformed leadership that puts learning, dignity and inclusion first.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a leader who:

• Believes deeply that assessment must serve learning, not compliance
• Has strong expertise in Maths pedagogy, data and assessment
• Understands the complex barriers faced by pupils with SEMH needs
• Can lead with warmth, integrity and high expectations
• Is confident balancing accountability with humanity
• Has the resilience to lead in complexity and the humility to listen
• Wants to shape a system, not just maintain one

Experience in SEMH, alternative provision or similarly challenging contexts is highly valued, but above all we are looking for someone whose values align with our mission.