Director of Inclusion
Rainhill High School, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 6NY20 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
5 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
15 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
- SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday - Friday 32.5 hrs per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £64,691 - £71,330 pa
Pay scale
- Leadership scale 10 -14
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you a visionary leader with a relentless commitment to removing barriers and ensuring every child has a place to belong?
We are seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Inclusion to lead our strategic approach to SEND, disadvantage, and targeted support, ensuring that every student, regardless of their starting point, can Learn, Think, Contribute, and Care. You will be the strategic lead for closing the gap for our most vulnerable learners ensuring that inclusion is woven into the fabric of the school’s Quality of Education.
You will hold high expectations for all, ensuring that statutory duties are met with rigour and that every resource is deployed to maximise pupil progress, leading a "Team Around the Child" that includes our SENCo function, Safeguarding, and specialised support staff.
This role to start in September 2026 (or earlier), is a pivotal Senior Leadership position designed for a values-driven leader, who understands that true inclusion is the "engine room" of a forward thinking school.
The successful candidate will:
- Possess a deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and the Equality Act, with the ability to translate complex needs into actionable classroom strategies.
- Can work in dynamic partnership with the Assistant Principal (QE) to operationalise our Pupil Premium strategy, ensuring it makes a sustained difference on the ground.
- Be an expert in co-production, building powerful relationships with parents, carers, and external partners to ensure our students' aspirations are at the heart of every decision.
- Have the analytical skill to use qualitative and quantitative data to identify emerging needs, such as SEMH or EBSA both quickly and accurately.
If you are passionate about developing others, driving improvement and have the passion to make a lasting difference ensuring every student feels they belong, we would love to hear from you.
Skills and Knowledge
Proven track record of outstanding inclusive classroom practice
Successful teaching experience across a range of key stages
Experience leading on SEND, PP implementation, or Inclusion at a whole-school level
Experience of Alternative Provision oversight or reintegration
Experience in co-production and working effectively with parents and external agencies
Deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and Equality Act 2010
Understanding of evidence-based strategies for disadvantaged/PP pupils
Thorough knowledge of the Ofsted 2025 Framework regarding Inclusion
Knowledge of EBSA, SEMH, and early identification strategies
Familiarity with using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor impact
Ability to inspire and lead a diverse "Team Around the Child"
Skilled in leading change and managing performance to achieve sustained improvement
Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
Ability to hold others to account while providing constructive, specialist feedback
Capacity to think strategically and translate the AP's PP strategy into action
Demonstrates alignment with Rainhill’s values – Learn, Think, Contribute, Care
Commitment to the school’s ethos and the “Pursuit of Excellence” for all learners
Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused under pressure
Commitment to safeguarding, equality and fostering a sense of belonging
Willingness to contribute to wider school life
What the school offers its staff
Stephenson Trust is based in Rainhill, Merseyside and is currently a single school in a multi academy trust. We have several external partners, including Hope University, Ambition Institute, SSAT, Rainbow teaching school hub and the educational endowment fund.
We are now seeking to expand in the next couple of years with those who share our desire to provide an excellent education
In our trust, our vision is one of excellence for everyone, pupils and staff. We believe that by working together, we can make a positive difference to children`s lives. We place emphasis on wellbeing, collaboration and professional development for our staff, underpinned by research. Our aim is to ensure our students finish their education with us as well-rounded, well-grounded individuals who will make a positive contribution to society, which is partly achieved by ensuring our workforce is supported and professionally challenged, underpinned by comprehensive CPD programmes and wellbeing initiatives. We offer the following benefits, designed to promote your wellbeing and make your role enjoyable and rewarding.
For the right candidate there will be additional opportunities based on potential, ability and capacity to make a difference across the team and the school.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR STEPHENSON TRUST
- A culture that actively promotes a positive work-life balance
- Teachers pension scheme with a generous employer contribution
- Flexible and Family Friendly Policies
- Continued Professional Development
- Lifestyle benefits and discounts
- Competitive salaries
- Free on-site parking
- On-site catering facilities
Our school’s mission is ‘In Pursuit of Excellence’ in everything that we do and our core values; Learn, Think, Contribute, Care, embody our determination to ensure that all our students receive a first-class education that enables them to take their place in society with confidence. We are a popular and high achieving school on the edge of Merseyside with a very strong reputation locally and significantly oversubscribed.
Further information about the job
Purpose of the Role
To provide strategic and operational leadership for inclusion across the school. The role carries overall responsibility for ensuring that all pupils with additional needs -particularly those with SEND or facing significant barriers to learning - can access, participate in, and succeed within the curriculum and wider school life. You will have full oversight of SEND provision, statutory compliance, and the quality of support for pupils with additional needs.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership of SEND:Lead the strategic direction for inclusion and SEND, ensuring Rainhill’s commitment to excellence is embedded in all support. You will serve as the named SENDCO, supported by a Deputy SENDCO.
2. Vulnerability & Pupil Premium:Work in close partnership with the Deputy Principal (Vulnerability) to operationalise the Pupil Premium strategy, ensuring "on the ground" implementation to reduce barriers for socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils.
3. Quality Assurance:Oversee the SEND quality assurance framework, including the effectiveness of the Graduated Approach (Assess-Plan-Do-Review) and the quality of support for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
4. Early Identification:Establish a culture of early and accurate assessment to identify emerging needs—including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)—quickly and accurately.
5. Multi-Disciplinary Leadership:Chair the "Team Around the Child," leading a diverse group of specialised support staff to maximise pupil progress. Line manage a range of colleagues to support this process, including the Deputy SENDCo, Behaviour Support Officer, Inclusion Manager, School Counsellor, and LAC Coordinator.
6. Statutory Compliance:Ensure reasonable adjustments are made in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice. Fulfill all statutory responsibilities, including the SEN Information Report and school Accessibility Plan.
7. Co-Production:Lead on co-production, ensuring pupils’ and parents’ views and aspirations are central to decision-making.
8. Alternative Provision:Oversee Alternative Provision (AP) placements and targeted pastoral support, ensuring placements are safe, suitable, and focused on successful mainstream reintegration.
9. Data Analysis:Use qualitative and quantitative data (attainment, progress, and student voice) to identify trends and adjust inclusion strategies to ensure a sustained difference.
10. Inclusive Pedagogy & CPD:Collaborate with the Quality of Education team to support high-quality inclusive teaching and lead evidence-informed CPD focused on the "Graduated Approach" and adaptive teaching.
Commitment to safeguarding
Rainhill High School and Sixth Form is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as well as promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion; where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosing & Barring Certificate and online searches as part of our Safer Recruitment & Selection Procedures.
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 Rainhill High School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1810 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Rainhill High School website
- Email address
- jobs@rainhillhigh.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01744 677205
11-18 Mixed Comprehensive 1534 on roll
Rainhill High School is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form centre located in Rainhill, Merseyside, England.
The school converted to an academy under Rainhill Learning Village in March 2017.
More recently, the school has become part of the Stephenson MAT and was graded as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in February 2023. The Academy is working hard to make a difference to staff workloads by investing time, technology, and support to make Rainhill High School and Rainhill Sixth an attractive place to work.
Our vision is one of excellence for everyone, pupils and staff. We believe that by working together we can make a positive difference to children’s lives.
Stephenson Trust is currently a single school in a multi academy trust. We have several external partners, including Hope University, Ambition Institute, SSAT, Rainbow teaching school hub and the educational endowment fund. We are now seeking to expand in the next couple of years with those who share our desire to provide an excellent education
Arranging a visit to Rainhill High School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jobs@rainhillhigh.org.uk.
School location
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