Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) Leader
Oakham CofE Primary School, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6GY37 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
20 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
13 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time, part time (Can be done as a job share): The position is advertised as a full-time role, however we are keen to appoint the right person and therefore: • Applications are welcomed from candidates wishing to undertake the full-time DSP Leadership role, or • We are also willing to consider a co-leadership model, which would include 50% DSP leadership and 50% teaching within the DSP, working alongside a colleague to jointly lead the provision.
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership pts 1 - 3
What skills and experience we're looking for
Applications are invited from those with the following skills and qualifications:
- QTS and ideally the NASENCo Award/SENDCo NPQ (or commitment to complete it).
- Proven experience teaching and supporting pupils with complex SEND particularly Autistic leaners.
- Experience leading or coordinating SEND provision, including working with families and multi-agency professionals.
- Strong understanding of SEND legislation, the EHCP process, and inclusive/adaptive teaching.
- The ability to lead, inspire and develop staff, modelling high-quality practice across the provision.
- Excellent communication, organisation and a calm, solution-focused approach.
- A passionate commitment to inclusive education, safeguarding, and improving outcomes for our most vulnerable learners.
- We are looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient and child-centred, skilled at building trusting relationships with pupils with complex additional needs.
What the school offers its staff
At Oakham CofE Primary School, we are extremely proud of the inclusive, nurturing and ambitious environment we have created for our children and staff. Our school is a wonderful place to work and learn, characterised by a strong family-centred ethos, enthusiastic and motivated pupils, and a hardworking, supportive and dedicated team who are deeply committed to ensuring every child succeeds.
We are seeking an individual who shares our values and aspirations to join our purposeful, passionate and persevering staff team. This is a significant leadership opportunity within our school, and we are looking to appoint an outstanding, highly motivated and committed leader who is passionate about inclusive education and determined to ensure that every child achieves success.
Oakham CofE Primary School is part of the Rutland Learning Trust, an innovative, highly supportive and successful trust where collaboration sits at the heart of improvement. Leaders across the trust work closely together, sharing expertise, developing practice and supporting one another to ensure the very best outcomes for children. The successful candidate will benefit from strong professional networks across the trust, opportunities to collaborate with leaders in other schools, and access to high-quality professional development.
Our Designated Specialist Provision plays a vital role in our inclusive approach, and we are proud to be affiliated with the DfE’s RISE DSP programme, which provides opportunities to contribute to and learn from national developments in specialist provision. We also work closely and strategically with the Local Authority, supporting the implementation of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan and the ambitions set out in the SEND and AP Improvement Plan/White Paper.
This role provides exciting opportunities for strategic leadership, curriculum development and system collaboration. We are looking for someone who is keen to shape and develop high-quality provision for children with additional needs, working closely with colleagues both within school and across the wider trust and local authority.
We welcome applications from both aspiring leaders who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey and experienced leaders looking to further develop and extend their impact within a highly supportive environment.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Oakham CofE Primary School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 231 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Oakham CofE Primary School website
- Email address
- scox@rltschools.com
- Phone number
- 01572 722404
Arranging a visit to Oakham CofE Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email scox@rltschools.com.
School location
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