Director of SEND

Kenton School; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kenton School is seeking a Strategic Leader to develop, implement and evaluate the Trust-wide SEND and Inclusion Strategy across its schools. You will provide strategic direction for SEND, ensuring high expectations for all students and alignment with the Trust's priorities.

Reporting to the CEO and working with Executive Team, Principals and governors, you will lead SEND improvement, compliance with legislation, and capacity-building across the Trust to embed inclusion as a shared

Qualifications

• Experience in senior leadership roles within SEND and inclusion.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory guidance.
• Ability to lead strategic improvement across multiple schools.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate the Trust-wide SEND and Inclusion Strategy in line with the Trust's strategic priorities, vision and values.
• Provide clear strategic direction for SEND across both schools, ensuring consistently high expectations for all students.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Team, Principals, Trustees and governors on SEND provision, priorities, risks and impact.
• Ensure that Trust and school improvement planning gives appropriate priority to SEND and inclusion.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and national developments and ensure that Trust practice remains compliant and effective.
• Build leadership capacity across the Trust so that SEND is understood as a shared responsibility rather than the responsibility of specialist teams alone.
• Be the strategic lead for ASIPRE

Job description

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement and evaluate the Trust-wide SEND and Inclusion Strategy in line with the Trust's strategic priorities, vision and values.
• Provide clear strategic direction for SEND across both schools, ensuring consistently high expectations for all students.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Team, Principals, Trustees and governors on SEND provision, priorities, risks and impact.
• Ensure that Trust and school improvement planning gives appropriate priority to SEND and inclusion.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and national developments and ensure that Trust practice remains compliant and effective.
• Build leadership capacity across the Trust so that SEND is understood as a shared responsibility rather than the responsibility of specialist teams alone.
• Be the strategic lead for ASIPRE

Quality of Education and Inclusive Practice

• Work with senior and curriculum leaders to ensure students with SEND have access to an ambitious, appropriately adapted curriculum.
• Lead Trust-wide improvement in adaptive and inclusive teaching and ensure that teachers understand how to respond effectively to identified needs and EHCP outcomes.
• Support leaders to evaluate the quality and impact of classroom provision for students with SEND through robust quality assurance.
• Ensure professional development equips teachers and support staff with the knowledge and strategies needed to meet a broad range of additional needs.