Director of Inclusion
Colchester Academy, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3JL18 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
5 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
17 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
- SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership Pay scale 6 - 10
What skills and experience we're looking for
Colchester Academy is a thriving secondary school, looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and driven Director of Inclusion with a commitment to inclusive education to join its dedicated and talented Middle Leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional candidate to continue to raise standards and outcomes across the school and to drive the Inclusion Faculty further on its journey to success. A key leadership role within the school, it offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people and to shape a truly inclusive culture of high expectations and outcomes.
As Director of Inclusion, you will lead the strategic development of SEND provision, working closely with senior leaders, staff, families, and external agencies to deliver high-quality, inclusive education. You will have a strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, a history of strong outcomes and successful leadership, and champion a culture of high expectations, ensuring that teaching is adaptive, responsive, and meets the diverse needs of all learners and be an integral part of our Raising Standards Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Colchester Academy, a school committed to ensuring that every student is known, supported, and challenged to succeed. As Director of Inclusion, you will be at the heart of this mission—leading change, supporting staff, and ensuring that no student is left behind.
The NPQ SENCO is desirable; however, we will support the right candidate to achieve this qualification.
What the school offers its staff
We offer a positive and supportive workplace where staff go the extra mile, for students and for each other. A place where we provide excellent opportunities for career progression and advancement, and where the culture is one of equity and fairness built on relationships developed out of mutual trust and respect.
Colchester Academy is an outward facing research-based school, with pedagogy firmly rooted in the Principles of Instruction and a knowledge rich curriculum. We are looking to appoint someone intent upon driving up standards, delivering excellent teaching and inspiring the same in others.
Colchester Academy is committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training, and the culture is one of equality and fairness built on relationships developed out of mutual trust and respect.
Further information about the job
To apply for this position an application form must be completed in full. Please also enclose a covering letter outlining your suitability for the post and the skills you will bring to the post.
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.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About Colchester Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 899 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Colchester Academy website
- Email address
- lainger@colchesteracademy.org.uk
Colchester Academy is a secondary school located in the heart of Colchester, Essex and is graded 'GOOD' by OFSTED (2018 and 2023). Colchester Academy first opened in September 2010 and boasts a state of the art building with modern design and a wealth of technology. We are now part of local Academy Chain, Penrose Learning Trust and this is an incredibly exciting time for us.
The Colchester Academy school vision is to provide “challenge for all” and to support students from all backgrounds to gain skills and experience to facilitate their future choices. It challenges students academically as well as providing a range of opportunities for them to receive a well-rounded learning experience. The "no child left behind" approach is particularly important to the school: education moves at a pace that allows every child to thrive and help is given to students who feel they are falling behind.
“Colchester Academy is a friendly and inclusive school. Pupils are happy and are safe. The majority of pupils meet the high expectations that leaders set. There is a supportive and caring culture in the school. Pupils appreciate the relationships that they develop with staff. Pupils learn to respect one another..” (Ofsted)
Arranging a visit to Colchester Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email lainger@colchesteracademy.org.uk.
School location
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