An Assistant Headteacher's Take on SEND Funding
05 Mar, 2025
A Headteachers Approach to Creating an Inclusive School Environment
05 Mar, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How schools promote inclusivity and cater to students with diverse needs.
- Impactful changes in the education system.
- How to maintain a healthy work-life balance as a Headteacher.
- How to ensure a smooth transition for students moving from primary to secondary school.
- Where the latest Headteacher jobs are and how to apply for them.
Headteachers carry a wide range of responsibilities, from managing staff and resources to creating an inclusive school environment. To gain insights into the complexities of this role, we interviewed Headteacher, James Forber, who has worked in the education sector for thirteen years.
James’s career has taken him through various leadership roles, from Assistant Headteacher to Deputy, before reaching his current position as a Headteacher.
With his extensive experience, James provides valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of school leadership and uses his experiences to inspire others to pursue a career as a Headteacher.
From maintaining a healthy work-life balance to thoughts on the new Labour government, discover more about the life of an experienced Headteacher.
Can you tell us about your career journey as a Headteacher? What initially drew you to this role?
My journey to headship has been shaped by a deep commitment to educational excellence, inclusion, and strategic school improvement. Before becoming Headteacher at Connah’s Quay High School, I held senior leadership positions in two schools, including leading a school in challenging circumstances.
My leadership has always been centred on high expectations, developing staff, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.
What initially drew me to headship was the ability to influence the direction of a school on a larger scale, creating a culture where staff feel empowered and where students thrive academically and personally.
The opportunity to shape a school’s vision, make strategic decisions, and have a lasting impact on young people’s futures is incredibly rewarding.
At Connah’s Quay, I’ve embedded a culture of high aspiration, strong pastoral support, and continuous improvement, ensuring our students achieve outcomes that reflect their true potential.
How does your school promote inclusivity and cater to students with diverse needs?
Inclusivity is at the heart of our school’s ethos. At Connah’s Quay High School, we have a clear, coherent approach that integrates Additional Learning Needs (ALN), pastoral support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision, and attendance strategies to ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, can succeed.
We have strengthened our interventions by embedding a whole-school culture where inclusion is not just a department’s responsibility but a shared commitment across all staff.
Our strategies include:
- Targeted support - Personalised learning pathways and structured interventions to support students with ALN and EAL needs.
- High-quality teaching - Ensuring that inclusive classroom practices are embedded with differentiation and scaffolding to support diverse learners.
- Wellbeing and pastoral care - A robust pastoral system that supports students' social and emotional needs alongside their academic progress.
- Attendance and engagement strategies - Addressing barriers to attendance and behaviour through early intervention and multi-agency collaboration.
The impact of this inclusive approach is reflected in improved attendance, engagement and achievement across all student groups.
Is there anything within the education system that you hope will change in 2025 and if so, why?
One of the key changes I hope to see in 2025 is a greater emphasis on long-term, sustainable school funding. Schools across the UK, have faced increasing financial pressures, impacting staffing, resources and curriculum breadth.
While we have managed to maintain a surplus at Connah’s Quay through strategic financial planning, many schools are operating in deficit, which ultimately affects the quality of provision.
Another critical area is accountability measures. While performance data is important, I would like to see a more holistic approach to school evaluation; one that values progress, pastoral care, and extracurricular enrichment alongside academic results.
Lastly, Teacher recruitment and retention needs urgent attention. A national strategy to address workload, professional development, and wellbeing could help retain experienced staff and attract new talent to the profession.
What challenges do you face when recruiting teaching and support staff, and how do you address them?
Recruitment remains a national challenge, particularly in specialist subjects. Fewer people are entering the teaching profession, leading to shortages in subjects like Maths, Science, and Technology. Many Teachers are also leaving the profession due to workload pressures and limited career progression opportunities.
At Connah’s Quay, we have tackled this by investing in initial Teacher training and leadership development programs, implementing flexible recruitment approaches, considering part-time roles and alternative routes into teaching.
We also ensure that staff wellbeing, professional development, and career pathways are prioritised. By creating a supportive, aspirational work environment, we have been able to attract and retain high-quality staff despite wider challenges.
What are your thoughts on the new Labour government, and do you believe they will radicalise the education system?
The new Labour government’s approach to education will likely focus on funding, workforce retention, and skill development, but whether it will be truly radical remains to be seen. If Labour commits to substantial investment in education, addressing staff shortages and funding disparities, it could lead to significant improvements.
However, one of the risks with any new government is the temptation to introduce sweeping policy changes without ensuring consistency for schools. The education sector needs stability and Teachers and leaders need time to embed reforms properly, rather than constantly shifting goalposts.
If Labour prioritises a skills-based curriculum, stronger links with industry, and meaningful investment in Teacher development, they could bring about positive and necessary changes without unnecessary disruption.
What recent changes or trends in the education system do you think have been most impactful and why?
Several recent trends have significantly shaped education, but a few stand out:
- Curriculum reform - The curriculum continues to reshape how we teach, placing a greater emphasis on skills, inquiry-based learning, and cross-disciplinary links. Schools have had to adapt their curriculum planning, and while it can be challenging, it offers long-term benefits.
- AI and EdTech integration - The rise of AI in education has transformed how we approach assessment, feedback, and personalised learning. AI-driven tools are now helping Teachers manage their workload more effectively, allowing time for smarter intervention strategies.
- Mental health and wellbeing focus - There has been a greater push for embedding mental health support within schools, recognising the direct link between wellbeing and academic success. At Connah’s Quay, we’ve integrated wellbeing strategies into our pastoral care system, which has helped improve attendance and engagement.
These trends reflect a shift towards a more student-centred adaptable education system, which I believe is a step in the right direction.
Did you notice any emerging trends in education during 2024?
Yes, several trends became more prominent in 2024. Schools began leveraging AI not just for student learning but also for tracking Teacher development and improving school efficiency. This has significant potential for improving staff retention and targeted professional development.
There was also a greater focus on transition support. More schools are recognising the need for structured transition programs from primary to secondary, helping students adjust socially and academically.
Additionally, there has been a growing push to integrate real-world learning experiences into the curriculum, helping students develop workplace-relevant skills.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a Headteacher is challenging, but I prioritise delegation, structured time management, and wellbeing practices. I ensure that key decisions are shared across leadership, building capacity within my team.
Protected time for strategic thinking and reflection is built into my schedule. I also set clear boundaries to maintain personal time, which is essential for sustainability in leadership.
Physical activity, such as coaching rugby, serves as an outlet that supports both my mental and physical wellbeing. By embedding these habits, I can lead effectively without burnout.
How do you ensure a smooth transition for students moving from primary to secondary education?
Transition is a key focus at Connah’s Quay, and we have implemented structured programs to ensure students feel confident and supported. The strategies we have implemented are:
- Curriculum alignment - We work closely with feeder primary schools to align key learning areas, ensuring students are academically prepared.
- Enhanced pastoral support - Early pastoral interventions help students settle in quickly, reducing anxiety about the transition.
- Targeted interventions - Specific support for vulnerable students, including those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), ensures no one is left behind.
A well-structured transition program has helped improve both student confidence and year 7 outcomes.
Headteacher jobs
If you’re searching for your next Headteacher position, why not take a look at the latest Headteacher jobs, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit a Headteacher?
As a specialist Headteacher recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools, Multi Academy Trusts, Alternative Provisions and Pupil Referral Units (PRU) with their recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a Headteacher vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- North of the UK - Jamie Heath
- South of the UK - Dane Matthews
Meet Jamie Heath
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the education sector.
If you work in the education sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
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