Director of Inclusion

Pathway Trust; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers Pension Scheme

Sick pay

CPD opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Family-friendly leave

Job summary

Pathway Trust is seeking a Director of Inclusion to provide executive-level strategic leadership across our family of schools. The role focuses on safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and inclusion, advising the CEO, Leadership Team and Trustees, while shaping trust-wide systems and driving cultural integration.

You will implement policies, lead inclusion initiatives and coordinate with Local Authorities and external partners to ensure high-quality provision for vulnerable learners.

Qualifications

• QTS with degree-level education.
• Advanced Level Designated Safeguarding training.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a school or Multi-Academy Trust.
• Ability to analyse complex performance data to inform decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the trust’s response to national policy reforms, translating statutory guidance into a cohesive Pathway inclusion strategy with robust operational systems.
• Develop trust-wide strategies that champion inclusive cultures, systems and classroom practice so that all pupils have the opportunity to flourish at school.
• Lead evidence-informed attendance and relational behaviour frameworks across the trust to improve absence and reduce preventable exclusions.
• Oversee support for SEND, disadvantaged, and LAC students ensuring impact-driven use of IMF, Pupil Premium and high-needs funding and line managing the trust SEND lead.
• Oversee safeguarding compliance, training and risk reporting to Trustees, embedding a robust safety culture across all schools and line managing the trust safeguarding lead.
• Be the trust’s primary liaison with Local Authorities, multi-agency services and external providers for EHCP processes, alternative provision and safeguarding partnerships.

Skills

Senior leadership

Data analysis

Communication & collaboration

Strategic planning

Regulatory knowledge

Education

QTS

Degree-level education

Advanced Safeguarding training

Job description

Job title: Director of Inclusion

Salary: L24 - L28

FTE: 1

Location: Pathway Partnership Hub

To recognise the geographical reach of our family of 20 schools, we have four dedicated Partnership Centres for colleagues to work from. We are flexible on which of the following you chose to be based at:

Marlwood School (BS35 3LA)

Lyde Green Primary School (BS16 7LH)

Worle Community School (BS22 8XX)

The King Alfred School (TA9 3EE)

About the Role

You will provide executive-level strategic leadership across Pathway Trust to secure exceptional standards in safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and provision for vulnerable learners. Providing advice to the CEO, Leadership Team and Trustees, you will design trust-wide systems, lead policy implementation and drive cultural integration across Pathway Trust.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the trust’s response to national policy reforms, translating statutory guidance into a cohesive Pathway inclusion strategy with robust operational systems.
• Develop trust-wide strategies that champion inclusive cultures, systems and classroom practice so that all pupils have the opportunity to flourish at school.
• Lead evidence-informed attendance and relational behaviour frameworks across the trust to improve absence and reduce preventable exclusions.
• Oversee support for SEND, disadvantaged, and LAC students ensuring impact-driven use of IMF, Pupil Premium and high-needs funding and line managing the trust SEND lead.
• Oversee safeguarding compliance, training and risk reporting to Trustees, embedding a robust safety culture across all schools and line managing the trust safeguarding lead.
• Be the trust’s primary liaison with Local Authorities, multi-agency services and external providers for EHCP processes, alternative provision and safeguarding partnerships.

About You

We are seeking a personable, highly credible leader with multi-school or trust-level experience. You will have the professional authority to build high-trust relationships with headteachers, offer constructive challenge and bring strategic clarity to complex regulatory environments.

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), educated to degree level, and hold Advanced Level Designated Safeguarding training.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a school or Multi-Academy Trust, with a proven track record of driving measurable improvements in attendance, behaviour and outcomes for vulnerable students.
• Deep working knowledge of statutory safeguarding requirements, SEND legislation, graduated response models and alternative provision frameworks.
• Knowledge and understanding of emerging national inclusion reforms, governance oversight and vulnerable learner funding streams
• Ability to analyse complex performance data to inform decisions, manage risk and align trust-wide priorities.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated experience collaborating with Local Authorities, parents and multi-agency regional forums.

We can offer you:

• A supportive trust and school community
• Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
• A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
• A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
• Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
• Teachers Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
• Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
• Family‑friendly leave packages to help maintain a healthy work–life balance
• For more information about our trust or our benefits, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

For more information about our trust or our benefits, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child

Pathway Trust is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our students.