Inclusion and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Dunalley Primary School, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4LB35 days remaining to apply
Job start date
4 January 2027
Closing date
9 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
4 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership 1-5
What skills and experience we're looking for
Applicants must hold Qualified Teacher Status. The successful candidate will hold or be willing and eligible to complete within the required timescale, the National Professional Qualification for SENCOs.
Previous experience as a SENCO and/or DSL would be an advantage, although we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience, aptitude and leadership potential to fulfil these responsibilities successfully.
We are looking for someone who:
- is a dynamic, enthusiastic and forward-thinking leader who is excited by educational change and new opportunities;
- is an excellent teacher with a strong understanding of high-quality, inclusive and adaptive teaching;
- is passionate about improving outcomes for children with SEND and other children who may experience barriers to learning;
- has the knowledge, professional judgement and confidence to lead safeguarding across the school;
- is curious about research, evidence and emerging practice and can translate these into meaningful improvements for children;
- is willing to question, reflect and think differently about how we meet the changing needs of our pupils;
- can build positive and trusting relationships with children and families, including when circumstances are complex;
- has high expectations for disadvantaged, looked-after and previously looked-after children;
- can work effectively with external professionals and coordinate support around children and families;
- can use evidence and information intelligently to identify priorities and evaluate impact;
- can inspire, support, challenge and develop colleagues; and
- brings energy, optimism, organisation and determination to school leadership.
What the school offers its staff
We can offer:
- wonderful children who are enthusiastic about their learning;
- a welcoming, experienced and committed staff team;
- a strong culture of inclusion and safeguarding;
- a supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership Team;
- governors who are ambitious for the continued development of the school;
- high-quality professional development and support to grow within the role;
- positive relationships with families and external partners;
- the freedom and support to explore new ideas and develop practice; and
- an opportunity to have genuine strategic influence within an ambitious and forward-thinking primary school.
Further information about the job
This is a substantial leadership role, and we want to find the right person. Visits to Dunalley are warmly encouraged and will provide an opportunity to meet us, see the school in action and discuss our ambitions for the role with the Headteacher.
To arrange a visit or an informal conversation about the post, please email applications@dunalley.gloucs.sch.uk .
Please complete the Gloucestershire County Council application form, demonstrating how your experience, knowledge and skills meet the requirements set out in the job description and person specification.
Closing date: Friday 9th October at 12 noon Interview date: Wednesday 14th October Start date: January 2027
Dunalley Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant pre-employment checks. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, the school will undertake appropriate online searches for shortlisted candidates.
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 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 Dunalley Primary School
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 456 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- applications@dunalley.gloucs.sch.uk
Dunalley Primary (Community) School and Nursery and pre-school is set in a beautiful part of Cheltenham town and serves a wide, mainly local community.
Dunalley is a great place to come to for our pupils, their families and is a positive environment for our staff.
We have a loyal and dedicated team of teaching and support staff and offer varied professional development opportunities to all staff. Staff welfare is important to us, and we have high staff retention.
The children and staff have fantastic attitudes towards learning and believe that if they work hard they will succeed. We are solution focussed and encourage our whole school community to have a positive attitude towards life.
We are proud of our happy, inclusive and ambitious school. Our vision, Learning and achieving together, reflects the importance we place on collaboration and on ensuring that children and adults are able to thrive.
We are a school that is continually learning and developing. We value new ideas, thoughtful innovation and evidence-informed practice, and we want our staff to feel confident to reflect, question and improve what we do.
We can offer:
- a welcoming, experienced and committed staff team;
- wonderful children who are enthusiastic about their learning;
- a strong culture of inclusion and safeguarding;
- a supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership Team;
- governors who are ambitious for the continued development of the school;
- high-quality professional development and support to grow within the role;
- positive relationships with families and external partners;
- the freedom and support to explore new ideas and develop practice; and
- an opportunity to have genuine strategic influence within an ambitious and forward-thinking primary school.
Arranging a visit to Dunalley Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email applications@dunalley.gloucs.sch.uk.
School location
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