32 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    September 2026 or Sooner

  • Closing date

    27 April 2026 at 9am

  • Date listed

    26 March 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Head of department or curriculum

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Key stage 3, Key stage 4

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

MPR/UPR + TLR 1B

What skills and experience we're looking for

John Smeaton Academy is seeking to recruit an inspirational colleague for the role of Director of SEND. This role is of great importance to our work as an Academy, the successful candidate will be expected to lead on key areas of responsibility, particularly SEND, to ensure the delivery of exceptional educational provision for all pupils at the Academy, as well as the management of SEND specialist teachers, teaching assistants, and external agencies. John Smeaton offers a unique opportunity to work as Director of SEND, coordinating mainstream SEND and an onsite Resource Provision. Our Resource Provision is called Horizons and offers specialist support for 40 young people who have an EHCP with a primary need of communication and interaction. Students have the opportunity to work from a base within school as well as accessing mainstream lessons where appropriate.

Potential applicants should have:

  • Experience of engaging effectively with parents and carers in learning.
  • Experience of supporting a wide range of SEND and vulnerable learners’ needs.
  • Evidence of their impact in supporting children with behaviour and inclusion needs.

It would be desirable if potential applicants also have experience of working within a Resource Provision/Specialist Provision.

What the school offers its staff

What we offer you:

As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:

  • Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.
  • A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • £2k Cycle to work scheme.

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.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

Additional documents

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

About John Smeaton Academy

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 18
Education phase
Secondary school
School size
610 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 18
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
Phone number
0113 8313900

Arranging a visit to John Smeaton Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email enquiries@johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk.

School location

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