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SENDCo and Trust Strategic SEND Lead

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Nailsea, Somerset, BS48 4PD

26 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  13 July 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  17 June 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • SENCo (special educational needs coordinator)
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time (Can be done as a job share): 2 days working as SENCo at St Francis 1 day working as Trust Strategic SEND Lead across all schools and on strategic Trust SEND
• Contract type: Fixed term - 12 months
• Full-time equivalent salary: Commensurate with experience
• Additional allowances:

  The role is paid commensurate with experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

SENDCo and Trust Strategic SEND Lead

Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust

Based at St Francis Catholic Primary School and across Trust schools

0.6 FTE (3 days per week)

2 days per week: SENDCo, St Francis Catholic Primary School

1 day per week: Trust Strategic SEND and Inclusion Lead

Salary: Competitive and dependent upon experience and expertise.

Start Date: September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

A rare opportunity to shape the future of SEND and inclusion across a growing Catholic Trust.

The Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust is seeking an exceptional SEND leader to join our Trust and help shape the next phase of our SEND and inclusion journey.

This is not a traditional SENDCo role.

It is a unique opportunity to combine operational SEND leadership within a thriving Catholic primary school with strategic Trust-wide responsibility for SEND and inclusion.

The successful candidate will lead SEND provision at St Francis Catholic Primary School for two days per week whilst also working alongside the CEO and school leaders across the Trust to strengthen systems, develop expertise and help shape the future of inclusive education.

We are looking for someone who believes passionately that every child can flourish when barriers are removed, aspirations remain high and inclusion is understood as a shared responsibility.

About the Trust

The Newman Catholic Trust is a growing family of Catholic schools serving communities across the Diocese of Clifton.

Our vision is simple:

Heart to heart, hand in hand, together we inspire excellence and nurture faith.

We are committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. We believe that inclusion is not a separate agenda but a fundamental measure of educational excellence and a reflection of our Catholic mission.

As our Trust continues to grow, we are investing in strategic leadership that strengthens provision, builds capacity and improves outcomes for pupils with SEND across all our schools.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is ambitious for children with SEND and committed to securing excellent outcomes
• Can build strong relationships with pupils, families, school leaders and external agencies
• Has the credibility and expertise to support and develop colleagues across multiple schools
• Is confident using data, provision mapping and evaluation to improve outcomes
• Can think strategically whilst remaining rooted in the needs of individual children and families
• Is passionate about developing inclusive cultures where every teacher sees themselves as a teacher of SEND

The role will include:

• Leading SEND provision at St Francis Catholic Primary School
• Supporting pupils, families and staff to secure excellent outcomes for children
• Developing Trust-wide systems and approaches to SEND and inclusion
• Leading and developing the Trust SENDCo Network
• Supporting complex cases and strategic SEND development across schools
• Helping to shape policy, practice, CPD and provision mapping across the Trust
• Working with Local Authorities, external agencies and wider partners

What the school offers its staff

We can offer:

• A genuinely unique role combining school leadership and Trust-wide influence
• The opportunity to shape SEND and inclusion across a growing family of schools
• Direct access to and support from the CEO and Trust leadership team
• A culture of collaboration, innovation and professional trust
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and system leadership
• The chance to work alongside passionate school leaders committed to improving life chances for children
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to pupils, families and communities

This is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious SENDCo seeking wider influence, an experienced SEND leader looking to contribute beyond a single school, or a future senior leader passionate about inclusion and system improvement.

Flexible working opportunities

This role requires an in-person SENCo to lead on SEND provision at St Francis - 2 days per week. Elements of this work can be flexible and negotiated with the school principal. The Trust Strategic SEND Lead can be a combination of in-person and remote working and will require some presence across trust schools.

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.

Visits and informal conversations are warmly welcomed.

To arrange a discussion with the CEO or to visit St Francis Catholic Primary School, please contact:

Safeguarding Commitment

The Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, including an online search.

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

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

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

NCET Trust Job Description SENDCo + Trust Strategic SEND Lead.pdf - 261 KB (opens in new tab)

About St Francis Catholic Primary School

• School type: Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 143 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Email address: dannydoyle@newmancatholictrust.com
• Phone number: 07793862281
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-francis-catholic-primary-school-nailsea

Arranging a visit to St Francis Catholic Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email dannydoyle@newmancatholictrust.com.

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