Assistant Principal - SENDCO

Granville Academy, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 7JR

11 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  13th April 2026

• Closing date

  24 February 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  9 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £63,070.00 - £69,596.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership Pay Scale L9 - L13

Assistant Principal - SENDCO job summary

Our School: Granville Academy is part of Affinity Learning Partnership (ALP). ALP is a Multi Academy Trust based in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire which comprises three secondary and four primary schools. Here, at Granville Academy, we are on a truly exciting journey of improving standards and outcomes in our pursuit of excellence. We are already seeing excellent results with a strong Ofsted report that recognises the good work we are doing. Our visitors tell us that our school offers a warm welcome with a calm atmosphere conducive to high quality teaching and learning and a friendly community ethos. We are a passionate and committed group of staff who support each other to be the best that we can be. Our vision is to ensure that all the children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly, regardless of their ability or background. At Granville Academy we believe in working hard, being kind and choosing wisely. We are privileged to work in a community where we have a positive impact on children' s lives and their futures every day. The Candidate Due to the promotion of our current Assistant Principal, Granville Academy is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for either an experienced and highly effective Middle Leader or serving Assistant Principal - SENDCO to join our leadership team. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy. As Assistant Principal - SENDCO, you will be at the heart of our mission to deliver exceptional education, ensuring that all children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly, regardless of their ability or background. The successful candidate will be fully supported by an experienced Academy Leadership Team, two Assistant SENCos and a fully staffed TA and HLTA team. Our academy benefits from two Behaviour Support Assistants to supplement the work of TAs and HLTAs. Granville Academy benefits from a Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) for students with additional needs and also an onsite Alternative Provision called The Bridge. These provisions are run in collaboration with the Vice Principal of Pastoral. Our philosophy however is not about withdrawal but rather using high quality wave one interventions and TA support to ensure all students can access their learning in front of our expert teachers. If you are interested in this post, we recommend that you contact us to book a visit to the academy in advance. This would provide an excellent opportunity to visit the academy and speak to leaders.Strategic Leadership & Standards

• Effectively manage the SEND budget and resource deployment, ensuring Catch-up funding offers best value and impact.
• Ensure the Academy meets all statutory requirements for SEND, including the management of EHCPs and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership of SEND provision and intervention programmes.
• Be accountable for the progress and attainment of SEND, disadvantaged, and vulnerable pupils, closing gaps and maintaining mainstream education where possible.

Teaching, Learning & Innovation

• Design and map personalised, bespoke learning pathways and inclusive curriculum models that improve literacy and numeracy standards.
• Undertake regular quality assurance and "open classroom" activities to monitor the effectiveness of provision.
• Develop and deliver a high-quality CPD programme to enhance staff expertise in inclusive practice.
• Lead on Academy-wide approaches to SEND and support wider Trust initiatives.

Personal Development & Welfare

• Maintain a visible and professional high profile across the Academy, leading by example to create a culture of high aspirations.
• Foster strong relationships with parents, the Local Authority, and external agencies to meet the holistic needs of our students.
• Implement strategies to support sustained improvements in student behaviour and engagement through "The Hub" and alternative provision.

The Ideal Candidate We are looking for a leader who is passionate about equity and driven by results. You should be:

• A supportive coach who can challenge underperformance while fostering a positive, calm learning environment.
• A strategic thinker capable of managing complex statutory requirements and budgets.
• An experienced leader with a proven track record of high quality teaching and successful SEND management.
• Committed to overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality for every student at Granville Academy.

Why Work for Affinity?

At Affinity, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work, a workplace where everyone belongs, progresses, and thrives. We recognise that our colleagues are our greatest asset, and we are committed to ensuring they feel valued, supported, and empowered. As a Trust, we are privileged to employ inspirational people who make a positive difference every day. In return, we continually strengthen our offer of a supportive, inclusive, and ambitious working environment, one that promotes mental and physical wellbeing, builds confidence, and fosters pride across our organisation. Our People Strategy Our People Strategy is built around three core pillars: Belongs - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, champions equality, and ensures all staff feel respected, valued, and genuinely part of our community. Progresses - Staff Development and CPD Our Professional Growth Model empowers colleagues to take ownership of their development. Our strong investment in CPD sets us apart and ensures every colleague has the opportunity to grow and succeed. Thrives - Wellbeing We know that mental and physical wellbeing are essential to feeling supported and performing well. That’s why we place strong emphasis on creating an environment where colleagues feel healthy, valued, and able to thrive.

What are the Benefits of Joining Affinity?

• Wellbeing initiatives supported by our Wellbeing Champion Network
• A Trust-wide approach to reducing workload
• A commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
• Opportunities for collaborative working through leadership and staff networks
• A commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
• Removal of performance-related pay
• Investment in your professional development and CPD through our Professional Growth Model

In addition to these core benefits, we also provide an excellent wider package that includes:

• Flu vaccination vouchers
• Eye care vouchers
• BHSF health cash plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership with Everyone Active
• Access to Benenden Health’s self-pay private healthcare service
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support services

Additional Information: Please note that we do not hold a sponsorship licence and, therefore, are unable to employ individuals residing outside of the UK or candidates living within the UK who require continued sponsorship to work in the UK. Please note: Completed applications should be received by 09:00am of the closing date. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please ensure to regularly check your junk/spam folder for any correspondence in relation to the progress of your application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, it is not policy to give individual feedback at this stage. We welcome a broad range of perspectives with a commitment to equality of opportunity by recruiting a diverse workforce, and creating an inclusive environment and a culture of belonging for everyone in Affinity Learning Partnership. Therefore, we encourage applications from underrepresented communities irrespective of age, disability, race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership status, or neurodivergent status. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments wherever possible through the recruitment process should this be required. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and this position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and this position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Granville Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 909 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Granville Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/granville-academy

Granville Academy joined Affinity Learning Partnership in 2017. We are a Multi Academy Trust currently based in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. We consist of 3 Secondary Academies and 4 Primary Academies.

Here at Granville Academy, we are on a truly exciting journey of improving standards and outcomes in our pursuit of excellence. We are already seeing results with good behaviour recognised in our recent Ofsted report.

Good behaviour provides the foundations for high-quality teaching and learning to thrive. It allows teachers to focus on their craft and to teach well. High-quality teaching is sacrosanct and is the absolute focus of our next chapter, ensuring that great teaching impacts positively on the outcomes of all within our care.

Our visitors tell us that our Academy offers them a warm welcome with a calm atmosphere conducive to high-quality teaching and learning. We are a passionate and committed group of staff who support each other to be the best that we can be.

Our vision is to ensure that all the children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly, regardless of their ability or background.

School location

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