Director of Inclusion and Belonging

Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust), Wigan, WN2 4SQ

6 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  27 April 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  26 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £58,569.00 - £64,691.00 Annually (Actual) Leadership 6 - 10

Director of Inclusion and Belonging job summary

This is a unique opportunity to lead transformational work across a family of schools that nurture young people from early years through to sixth form, empowering them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

If you are driven by the desire to create a culture where every child feels valued, respected, and supported to succeed, and want to shape inclusive education across a dynamic multi-academy trust, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role: Director of Inclusion and Belonging

As our Director of Inclusion and Belonging, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the Trust’s Central Team. Your mission will be to drive the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of inclusion, SEND provision, pupil wellbeing, behaviour, attendance, and personal development across all our schools.

You will lead a dedicated team, including leaders in Personal Development, Inclusion, Attendance, Behaviour, and SEND, ensuring that every pupil—regardless of background or ability—has equitable access to a nurturing and high-quality educational experience.

Job Purpose

To provide strategic and operational leadership of SEND across the Trust, securing high‑quality inclusive provision and strong achievement for pupils with SEND, including those supported through pupil premium.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust SEND strategy in line with the SEND Code of Practice
• Quality assure EHCPs, support plans, provision mapping and impact
• Monitor achievement, attendance and behaviour for pupils with SEND, with a focus on disadvantaged pupils
• Oversee alternative provision, inclusion pathways and reintegration
• Build SENDCO leadership capacity through coaching, training and quality assurance
• Analyse SEND and pupil premium data to identify gaps and drive improvement
• Ensure readiness for Ofsted, LA and SEND inspection or review activity
• Work closely with Attendance, Behaviour and Safeguarding leads to reduce barriers

This role offers a remarkable platform to influence inclusion and wellbeing across a diverse, evolving Trust, with genuine scope for professional growth and impact.

About You: The Ideal Candidate

You are an inspiring leader with a strong track record in inclusion and SEND leadership, passionate about improving educational outcomes for vulnerable and complex needs pupils. You bring:

• Proven leadership experience in a school or multi-school setting, ideally with SEND coordination or senior inclusion responsibilities
• Deep knowledge of SEND legislation, safeguarding, curriculum development, and behaviour management best practises
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, able to build strong relationships and lead collaborative teams
• A commitment to promoting emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour, and a culture of respect and kindness
• The ability to think strategically, analyse complex data, and drive sustainable improvements
• Emotional intelligence and resilience to lead effectively in a busy and evolving environment
• A degree and Qualified Teacher Status, with NASENCo qualification or equivalent highly desirable

Your leadership will embody QUEST’s values, inspiring staff and pupils alike to be their best selves and unlocking potential at every level.

What We Offer

At QUEST, we value our staff and their wellbeing. We offer:

• A competitive Leadership pay scale
• A dedicated Wellness Day—an additional day of leave to focus on your wellbeing
• Comprehensive professional development opportunities to support your growth as a senior leader
• Access to cycle to work scheme and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Pension scheme and supportive working environment within a forward-thinking Trust

Join a community where your expertise will be valued, your leadership nurtured, and where you can make a lasting difference in children’s lives.

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

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 Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust)

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust) website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/quest-a-church-of-england-schools-trust

QUEST Academy Trust is a successful and vibrant organisation that provides a caring and thoughtful quality of education across our family of schools within the Northwest region. Established in 2014, we have 4 Good primary schools, nursery settings with before and after school club provisions and the University Collegiate School, Bolton comprising of secondary and sixth form education.

About Our Schools
QUEST Academy Trust educates over 1700 children and young people across its five schools and nursery provisions within the Northwest. Each of our schools are recognised individually – each have their own legacy and history focused upon the educational needs of its children and community.

Schools within the Trust
St Peter’s CE Primary School, Hindley
Hindley Green Community Primary School
St John’s CE Primary School, Hindley Green
St John’s CE Primary School, Abram
University Collegiate School (UCS), Bolton
Play Pals Childcare Limited

Having originally established in 2014, the Trust Board are now looking to expand the number of schools within the Trust. We are currently comprised of one medium sized secondary school in Bolton and four Primaries in Wigan. We also have four Nursery provisions associated with the Trust. The Trust comprises 1700 pupils and 270 staff.

Our vision is to create a strong Trust where the power of relationships, an unwavering commitment to our Christian values, and a focus on lifelong learning that will propel children to achieve well and go on to great things. Our mission, ‘Supporting Children from Early Years to Employment,' shows our steadfast dedication to preparing young minds for a lifelong quest of knowledge, character, and service.

We believe that at the heart of our community lies a commitment to our ‘WHY?’ – the 1700 children that we serve. As a Multi Academy Trust rooted in Christian values, we are guided by the values of respect, compassion, and kindness. These principles underpin everything we do, creating an atmosphere where children and staff flourish in a professional, responsible, and loyal way.

We believe that schools should have their own unique identity so they can serve their local community. We have a strong belief in the power of collaboration with other schools and Trust is key to strengthening the quality of education for the students we serve.

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