Shape the future of inclusive education
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:
* Specialist curriculum provision
* Whole-college learning support
* 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.
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