Head of SEND

Shorefields; Maldon; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Plume Academy in Essex seeks a Head of SEND to lead strategic SEND provision and to support inclusive teaching across Years 7–13. You will work with SLT, staff, families and external agencies to secure high-quality provision and outcomes for students with SEND.

The role requires professional leadership for SEND, monitoring provision impact, and deployment of resources to improve achievement, attendance, wellbeing and progression.

Qualifications

• Experience leading SEND provision across a school setting.
• Ability to work with SLT, teachers, families and external agencies.
• Experience as a SENDCo or equivalent in primary or secondary.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academy's SEND strategy, policy and provision.
• Coordinate referrals, assessments and multi‑agency support.
• Line manage SEND staff and develop inclusive practice.
• Oversee examination access arrangements and JCQ compliance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

SENDCo responsibilities

Line management

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC5402-721S Position Type: Head of Department/Faculty Pay Range: £57,699.00 - £63,688.00

Position Start Date: 01/01/2027 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 19/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: Thursday 22 or Friday 23 October 2026

The Head of SEND, as a Senior Leader, will support the Whole Academy Inclusion Lead in the strategic leadership of SEND and provide professional and operational leadership for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy, promoting an inclusive culture and ensuring that students with SEND achieve ambitious academic, personal and social outcomes. The Head of SEND will work with teachers, support staff, families and external agencies to secure high-quality adaptive teaching, effective provision and positive outcomes for all students with SEND.

The Head of SEND will provide professional leadership for SEND, monitor the impact of provision, promote high standards of teaching and learning, and support the effective deployment of resources to improve student achievement, attendance, wellbeing and preparation for the next stage of education, employment or adulthood.

This role would be suited to either an experienced Primary or Secondary SENDCo.

Applicants should be hardworking, enthusiastic and committed to delivering high-quality education for students in Years 7 to 13.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will contribute to whole-school leadership, academy improvement and the effective day-to-day operation of the school.

The Head of SEND will provide professional and operational leadership for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy, ensuring that students with SEND receive high-quality provision and achieve ambitious academic, personal and social outcomes. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will contribute to whole-school leadership, academy improvement and the effective day-to-day operation of the school.

Personal Qualities

Applicants should be hardworking, enthusiastic and committed to delivering high-quality education for students in Years 7 to 13.

Responsibilities of the Post Holder

The Head of SEND will provide professional and operational leadership for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy, ensuring that students with SEND receive high-quality provision and achieve ambitious academic, personal and social outcomes. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will contribute to whole-school leadership, academy improvement and the effective day-to-day operation of the school.

Strategic Leadership of SEND

• Act as the academy's designated SENDCo and fulfil all statutory responsibilities in accordance with the SEND Code of Practice.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the academy's SEND strategy, policy and provision.
• Contribute to SEND priorities within the academy's Inclusion Strategy and Framework and ensure their effective implementation and evaluation.
• Have day-to-day responsibility for coordinating provision for students with SEND and maintaining the academy's SEND Register.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, high expectations and equality of opportunity for all students.
• Ensure compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, the Equality Act 2010 and relevant statutory guidance.
• Advise senior leaders and trustees on SEND matters, legislation and best practice.
• Ensure the academy's SEND Information Report and statutory documentation remain compliant and up to date.

Quality of Education and Outcomes

• Ensure specialist assessment information and external professional recommendations are translated into clear, practical classroom strategies and appropriate provision for staff to implement.
• Lead and quality assure the identification, assessment and support of students with SEND through the graduated approach, including staff referrals, screening, assessment and liaison with relevant pastoral, attendance and external professionals.
• Ensure identified needs translate into appropriate APDR, provision and reasonable adjustments.
• Coordinate provision for students receiving SEND Support and those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including requests for statutory assessment and annual reviews.
• Oversee SEND provision and interventions across the academy, ensuring they are matched to identified need and have clear entry and exit criteria, baseline measures, intended outcomes and review points.
• Maintain and quality assure the SEND provision map and monitor the impact of interventions, staffing and LSA deployment, adapting provision where it is not securing sufficient progress or independence.
• Provide SEND leadership and operational support within Achievement Pathway, Achievement Pathway+, Reflection Room and The Lighthouse, ensuring students receive appropriate provision and reasonable adjustments, and reviewing patterns of engagement, dysregulation or repeated use of these provisions to identify unmet or changing needs and inform appropriate next steps.
• Work with teachers and leaders to ensure high-quality adaptive teaching and effective curriculum access for all students with SEND.
• Ensure all teachers understand and fulfil their responsibility for the progress and outcomes of students with SEND.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of SEND provision through analysis of achievement, attendance, behaviour, personal development and destination outcomes.
• Promote preparation for adulthood by supporting students' independence, resilience and successful transition to further education, employment and training.

Leadership and Management

• Line manage SEND teachers, Learning Support Assistants and other SEND support staff.
• Lead, support and develop staff to strengthen inclusive practice across the academy.
• Coordinate referrals, assessments and multi‑agency support, liaising effectively with families, external professionals and local authority services.
• Manage SEND resources, staffing and funding effectively to maximise student outcomes.
• Produce regular analysis and evaluation of SEND provision, outcomes and emerging priorities, contributing evidence to academy self‑evaluation, the Inclusion Strategy and reporting to senior leaders and trustees.

Examination Access Arrangements

• Lead and oversee examination access arrangements in accordance with current JCQ regulations.
• Ensure appropriate identification, assessment, evidence gathering and applications for access arrangements.

Remuneration and Working Time

Annual salary will be in accordance with the academy Teachers Pay

Scale of L4 - L8, which from appointment for a full-time post currently involves a salary of up to £63,688, Salaries are reviewed by national negotiation with effect from 1st September each year.

Closing Date: 12 noon Monday 19 October 2026 with interviews to take place on Thursday 22 or Friday 23 October 2026.

Plume Academy remains fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Information about the School

Work at a place where you feel valued and recognised. An environment where imagination and creativity counts. Work with us.

Currently the third largest secondary school in Essex as a single academy trust and growing, we are focused on enhancing our future structure and have roles where we are seeking people who can bring fresh perspectives and new variety for the benefits of our students. At Plume Academy you will find the space to develop your talents, the freedom to contribute and the opportunity to grow as part of our welcoming and inclusive family. Employing over 250 staff, from teaching and learning to management and administration, you will find opportunities at every level, across both of our campuses.

Our people share a determination to push boundaries, think differently and achieve more. As an employee, you’ll play a crucial part in assisting with our continual development. In return, we will support, nurture and reward you with benefits from training and development to responsibility recognition.

Plume had a successful Ofsted inspection in November 2023 and was judged a ‘good’ Academy. Ofsted acknowledged the high quality of teaching and excellent relationships in the Academy.

Plume Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are therefore subject to satisfactory DBS and Immigration Checks, demonstration of ability, together with the receipt of references.

If you would like to telephone the HR Department prior to completing the application form, they would be pleased to discuss the role in further detail and arrange a visit to the academy.

We look forward to hearing from you!

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.