Job Description
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Director of SEND
Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of SEND at Learning in Harmony Multi Academy Trust.
Proposed Start Date: 1st April 2026, but this is flexible
Payscale: Trust Leadership pay range point 7 £118,007 fte to point 13 £135,155 fte
Location: London and Essex
The Executive Director will be part of the Trust Leadership Group, with the key purpose being to support the Trust in advancing education for the public benefit and ensuring that leadership at all levels of the organisation has a direct impact on school improvement, outcomes for students and effective business operations.
As a member of the TLG, the Executive Director will have oversight and be responsible for leading improvement in an area of strategic responsibility, and in individual and/or groups of schools. In fulfilling their duties, the Executive Director will live the ethos and values of the organisation, follow the policies and code of conduct, and ensure that safeguarding is paramount.
Whilst the specific context for the Executive Director may change with the needs of the organisation, it will primarily be focused on executive leadership of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion. This includes, but is not limited to: the development and implementation of a Trust-wide strategy for SEND and inclusion; oversight of our SEND Outreach services and improvement team; and executive oversight of our special schools and specialist provisions.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further detailed information.
Closing date: 28th January 2026
Interview date: 16th February 2026
Employee Perks & Wellbeing Package
We recognise that high-quality, committed staff are key to delivering an excellent educationfor our pupils and communities.
We strive to ensurethat every staff member feels happy and fulfilled in their careers while having access to top-tier support, a comprehensive benefits package, and personalised professional development opportunities. Our wide range of benefits is designed to support the well-being of our staff.
Benefits include:
Highly competitive salaries
Excellent pension schemes
Enhanced leave benefits, including maternity, adoption, and paternity leave
Generous sick pay entitlements above nationally agreed levels
Family-friendly policies and flexible working opportunities
Medical support services, including access to counsellors, nurses, physiotherapists, and a 24/7 GP service
A comprehensive employee assistance programme, offering discounts from leading brands and stores, plus holistic well-being resources, fitness videos, meditations, and yoga courses
Access to salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, season tickets, and gym memberships
Safeguarding Statement
Learning in Harmony Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practice, and the successful applicant will need a satisfactory enhanced DBS certificate and supportive references.
Our aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity that celebrates differences, promotes understanding, and ensures that no one is discriminated against in any way. By embracing diversity, we believe we can tap into the unique perspectives and talents of our employees, creating a more innovative and creative workforce that can better meet the needs of our pupils.
Information about the School
The Learning in Harmony Trust was established as a multi-academy trust on 1st September 2014. Since then, the Trust has grown from a group of schools based in Newham, welcoming schools from Southend-on-Sea in the years that followed, to the present day where we now cover the county of Essex and the city of London.
The founding members of the Learning in Harmony Trust were Sheringham Primary School and JFK Special School. They were joined by Upton Cross Primary School and Hartley Primary School in September 2015 and April 2016 respectively. In the Autumn term 2016, the Trust extended its activities to the Essex town of Southend-on-Sea with Blenheim Primary School and Greenways Primary School joining. Drew Primary School (Newham), joined us in January 2017. Temple Sutton Primary School (Southend) joined on 1st September 2018. New North Academy (Islington) joined in September 2019 and Edwards Hall Primary School (Southend) became the 10th member of the Learning in Harmony Trust in January 2022.
In September 2023 Connaught Special School opened and in April 2024 Barons Court joined the Trust.
All of our schools are easily connected and the partnership has evolved over time to cover the county of Essex and the capital city of London.
Our London based schools provide our staff with the opportunity to experience the diverse variety of cultures and leisure activities which make our capital city an exciting place to work.
Our schools in Essex enjoy the picturesque countryside and beautiful coastlines and offer our staff the opportunity to live in some of the most popular towns in the country, including Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea.
For us, learning in harmony doesn't mean all schools have to be the same. We are proud to have both similarities and differences as schools, and see this diversity as a strength. We are bound together by our belief that, by working in partnership as one organisation, we can make a significant difference to the children and young people in our schools.