Director of SEND
| Posting date: | 20 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 October 2025 |
| Location: | Blackburn, Not recorded, BB1 2HT |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 315c20ee-f2cf-481b-b9ff-67f3a34709fd |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Who we’re looking for
We’re seeking an inspiring and strategic leader who is prepared to shape and drive our Trust-wide vision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and work directly in our schools to make that happen. A willingness to be operational and be in schools shaping and developing practice is essential. You’ll play a pivotal role in directly raising standards of learning and achievement by coordinating high-quality provision, monitoring outcomes, and championing inclusive practices across our schools.
If you’re passionate about equity in education and have the expertise to lead transformational change and have a demonstrable impact on outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Capabilities:
• Credibility as an experienced and successful secondary phase senior leader with a demonstrable track record of success, particularly with improving teaching.
• School-based secondary school leadership experience of SEND is essential.
• Deep understanding of the four broad areas of need, with experience in leading high-quality SEND provision and supporting SENDCOs to develop and implement a Trust-wide SEND strategy that raises standards and ensures consistency in provision and outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership skills to deliver joined-up, inclusive education aligned to Star’s vision and values.
• Performance and impact focused with strong analytical skills to monitor progress, impact, and drive continuous improvement in SEND outcomes.
• Committed to building capacity through developing others through instructional coaching, professional development, and creating a culture of excellence in SEND leadership in schools.
• Experience in commissioning services, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities.
• Ability and experience in fostering strong relationships with schools, local authorities, and external partners to enhance provision and outcomes.
What the school offers its staff
About Star Central
Star Central, which is headquartered in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies and our schools.
The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools directly by being in them to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
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.
Who we’re looking for
We’re seeking an inspiring and strategic leader who is prepared to shape and drive our Trust-wide vision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and work directly in our schools to make that happen. A willingness to be operational and be in schools shaping and developing practice is essential. You’ll play a pivotal role in directly raising standards of learning and achievement by coordinating high-quality provision, monitoring outcomes, and championing inclusive practices across our schools.
If you’re passionate about equity in education and have the expertise to lead transformational change and have a demonstrable impact on outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Capabilities:
• Credibility as an experienced and successful secondary phase senior leader with a demonstrable track record of success, particularly with improving teaching.
• School-based secondary school leadership experience of SEND is essential.
• Deep understanding of the four broad areas of need, with experience in leading high-quality SEND provision and supporting SENDCOs to develop and implement a Trust-wide SEND strategy that raises standards and ensures consistency in provision and outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership skills to deliver joined-up, inclusive education aligned to Star’s vision and values.
• Performance and impact focused with strong analytical skills to monitor progress, impact, and drive continuous improvement in SEND outcomes.
• Committed to building capacity through developing others through instructional coaching, professional development, and creating a culture of excellence in SEND leadership in schools.
• Experience in commissioning services, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities.
• Ability and experience in fostering strong relationships with schools, local authorities, and external partners to enhance provision and outcomes.
What the school offers its staff
About Star Central
Star Central, which is headquartered in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies and our schools.
The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools directly by being in them to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
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.