Director of Inclusion

Star Academies, Blackburn, BB1 2HT

21 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Thursday, 01 April 2027 or sooner.

• Closing date

  30 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  9 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £103,030 to £116,456 (L29-L34)

What skills and experience we're looking for

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for an exceptional Principal/Headteacher or senior leader with the ability and authority to lead the Trust’s inclusion strategy and its centrally based inclusion services to support the progress of pupils in the Trust’s schools.

Inclusion is a key priority in our Corporate Strategy up to 2032, and we have a detailed Inclusion Strategy that we have started to implement with our 36 schools in line with the national agenda on Inclusion and the SEND Reforms. We are looking for someone to provide the strategic leadership to bring this to life with our Star Central colleagues and our Senior Leaders in schools.

Star’s inclusion services include those focused on attendance, behaviour, SEND, Safeguarding, Admissions, Exclusions and Mental Health. You will have a strong track record of effective leadership and delivery in one or more of these areas at a senior level. The position requires an individual who can work both strategically and operationally, developing and integrating the Trust’s central inclusion services and facilitating the establishment of inclusive schools across the Trust. You will have a track record of successful school leadership with a clear understanding of how to support schools so that vulnerable pupils achieve the highest possible standards and wellbeing. You will also have the ability and expertise to lead a range of inclusion services to optimum levels of performance.

You will have:

• A degree and QTS.
• Credibility as an experienced and successful Principal/Headteacher or senior leader with an outstanding track record of demonstrable improvement and performance in inclusive practice.
• Experience articulating and creating a strategy and converting it into impactful and meaningful practice.
• A willingness to work directly with schools, providing effective instructional coaching and modelling of practice.
• The ability to lead, manage, develop and inspire service leaders to secure sustained improvement, high standards and an integrated, child-centred approach.
• A comprehensive knowledge of all strategies which contribute to improved outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
• Well-developed analytical skills, with an extensive understanding of how to identify priorities and solutions which will improve service standards and pupil outcomes.
• Full commitment to our vision and values.

What the school offers its staff

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Talent Academy and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

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

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

JDPS - Director of Inclusion.pdf - 390 KB (opens in new tab)

About Star Academies

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Star Academies website
• Email address: info@staracademies.org
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/star-academies

Head office location

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