Director of SEND & Inclusion
Weston College Group is seeking an exceptional Director of SEND & Inclusion to lead one of the most strategically important areas of the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to lead transformational change, shape and embed an evolving SEND model, and drive meaningful improvement in outcomes for learners across the College.
The opportunity
SEND is a key strategic priority for Weston College, operating at significant scale across a diverse learner base and funding landscape:
- Over 3,000 learners with a declared learning need or disability across full‑time provision, apprenticeships and adult learning
- Over 500 high‑needs learners, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans
- A growing service with significant investment in staff to respond to learner need
- Responsibility for a significant revenue and complex budgets (circa £11m)
The College is increasing investment in frontline support and strengthening cross‑college inclusion. Alongside this, we will be opening a new SEND Centre for Residential Training and Independent Living in summer 2026, creating a unique opportunity to shape innovative provision.
This role will play a key part in shaping how the College responds to the evolving national SEND landscape, ensuring policy is translated into effective, inclusive practice and ensuring all SEND learners have a genuine sense of belonging and are able to achieve and thrive.
The role
As Director, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership across specialist education and cross‑college learning support
- Strengthen cross‑college approaches to supporting learners with SEND, ensuring consistent delivery, effective early identification of need, and successful transition into mainstream curriculum pathways
- Lead the implementation and ongoing development of the SEND operating model
- Be the provision lead for High Needs when the College is inspected by Ofsted, alongside playing a key role in the overall Inclusion judgement for the whole college
- Drive high‑impact outcomes for learners with SEND, including improving achievement, progression and closing gaps with non‑SEND learners
- Translate national SEND reform into effective local practice
- Build and influence strong partnerships with local authorities, schools and sector bodies
- Lead a large, multidisciplinary team and ensure effective deployment of resources
- Ensure effective use of funding and resources to maximise support for learners and deliver sustainable, high‑quality provision
This role sits at the heart of the College’s mission to deliver inclusive, high‑quality education for all learners.
Leadership and structure
You will lead a well‑established and evolving SEND service, supported by a senior leadership team across specialist education, cross‑college learning support and SEND systems and funding. The structure beneath this role includes experienced leaders responsible for whole‑college learning support and SEND funding, systems and compliance. The role will focus on embedding and leading this provision effectively, ensuring it delivers high‑quality, consistent outcomes for learners.
What makes this role different
- A genuine opportunity to implement and shape the College’s SEND model pending the final outcomes of the recently announced SEND reforms
- A College with a strong track record in SEND and inclusion, now entering the next phase of its development
- Significant investment and executive‑level priority
- Opportunities to build on innovative practice, including well‑established supported employment provision
- Strong, well‑established partnerships with local authorities and external stakeholders
- The opportunity to influence both internal delivery and external partnerships to improve outcomes for learners
- The chance to combine strategic leadership with visible, on‑the‑ground impact
- An engaged and committed team with strong foundations, offering the opportunity to further develop capability, broaden perspectives and drive the next phase of improvement
About you
We are looking for a senior leader who can operate at both strategic and operational levels, with the ability to deliver impact through others in a complex organisation.
You may currently be:
- A Director or Assistant Principal for SEND or Inclusion
- A senior SEND leader in FE, HE or schools
- A Head of SEND, Head of Learning Support or Head of Specialist Curriculum with a strong track record, ready to step into a broader strategic leadership role
You will bring:
- A professional qualification in SEND or a related field
- Deep understanding of SEND legislation, funding and inclusive practice
- Experience of working within a middle or senior management role in an education setting
- A strong track record of improving outcomes and driving change
- Experience leading large teams and complex services
- Ability to influence internally and externally at senior level
- Experience working effectively with external partners, particularly local authorities and sector stakeholders
- A track record of delivering improvement through others and influencing across organisational boundaries
- Experience managing significant budgets
Working at Weston College
- Based in Weston‑super‑Mare, with occasional travel to other campuses as required
- Flexible working available (typically up to one day per week initially)
- Strong leadership support and transition planning in place
Safeguarding & inclusion
Weston College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Additional information
Interviews will take place on‑site at one of our Weston‑super‑Mare campuses. This vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received, so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advert should we receive a sufficient level of interest.
Application Process: To apply, please visit the employer’s website and complete the application. Please note: the application deadline may close early if we receive enough interest. We welcome you to apply as soon as possible.
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