SEN and Learning Specialist Lead (Barnstaple)

Exeter College; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holidays

Pension scheme

Free counselling

Discounted supermarket shopping

Spa treatments

Electric cars

Job summary

Exeter College in Barnstaple is seeking a SEN and Learning Specialist Lead to head the Learning Support team and co-ordinate support for learners with SEND and EHCPs. You will ensure high-quality, student-centred provision across the College and drive continuous improvement of learning support systems.

The role involves leading a cross-College team, monitoring learner progress, and delivering targeted teaching and support sessions. A degree and teaching qualification are required or planned.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting learners with SEND, neurodiversity or other barriers to learning.
• Ability to plan, deliver and review effective learning support programmes.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience leading and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a cross-College team of Learning Support Specialists.
• Coordinate support for learners with SEND and EHCPs with high standards of service.
• Oversee learning support systems and processes and drive improvements.
• Monitor learner progress and adapt provision as needed.
• Deliver targeted teaching and support sessions one-to-one or in small groups.
• Collaborate with curriculum teams and EHCP Office to ensure learner needs are met.

Skills

SEN support

Learning support coordination

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in relevant field

Teaching qualification or willingness to qualify

Job description

SEN and Learning Specialist Lead (Barnstaple)

Hours

Contract Type

Contract Type Permanent

Location

Location Barnstaple

Closing Date

Closing Date 08/10/2026

Job Description and Person Specification

Are you passionate about creating inclusive learning environments and helping students achieve their potential? We're looking for an experienced and proactive SEN and Learning Specialist Lead to join our Learning Support team in Barnstaple.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop a team of Learning Support Specialists, co-ordinate support for learners with additional needs, and play a key role in ensuring high-quality, student-centred provision across the College.

What you'll be doing

• Lead, manage and develop a cross-College team of Learning Support Specialists.
• Coordinate support for learners with SEND and EHCPs, ensuring high standards of service and compliance.
• Oversee learning support systems and processes, driving continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Monitor learner progress, engagement and support outcomes, adapting provision where needed.
• Deliver targeted teaching and support sessions on a one-to-one or small group basis.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum teams, external partners and the EHCP Office to ensure learners receive the support they need to succeed.

About you

• Experienced in supporting learners with SEND, neurodiversity, mental health needs or other barriers to learning.
• Skilled in planning, delivering and reviewing effective learning support programmes.
• An excellent communicator with outstanding organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Confident leading and motivating teams while maintaining high standards of support.
• Knowledgeable about EHCP processes and inclusive learning practices.
• Qualified to degree level (or equivalent) and holds, or is willing to work towards, a teaching qualification.

If you're committed to inclusion, passionate about supporting student success and ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

We'll give you incredibly generous holidays and a superb pension scheme. You'll also get a package of amazing benefits, including free counselling and discounted supermarket shopping, spa treatments, electric cars and many more.

Everyone's welcome to apply for a role here, regardless of personal characteristics, including race, age, gender, religion, ability, disability, or sexuality. We're totally committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students, and we expect you to be too. We follow safer recruitment statutory guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education). If you're successful, you'll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All posts at Exeter College are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJs guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thursday 8th October 2026 at midnight.

Interviews will be held in Barnstaple on the 15th October 2026