Shape the Future of Inclusion Across Astrea Primary Schools

Are you ready to lead inclusion with expertise, moral purpose, and unwavering ambition for every child?

Astrea Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Primary Lead Inclusion to drive a bold, evidence‑informed inclusion strategy across our primary academies. This is a rare opportunity to influence inclusive practice at scale and ensure that every child, including our most vulnerable pupils receive the highest‑quality education and the strongest start in life.

About the Role

This is more than an inclusion leadership role — it is a chance to redefine how inclusion is designed, delivered and embedded across a national trust.

Reporting to the Primary Regional Director, you will shape and lead a trust‑wide approach to inclusion that is firmly rooted in the belief that:

High‑quality teaching is the foundation of an inclusive education system.

You will champion an inclusion by design mindset: ensuring all pupils are known, safe, and taught expertly through a brilliant, knowledge‑rich curriculum. While some children may need bespoke support, the expectations for their achievement, development and access to learning remain exceptionally high.

You will be a credible, values‑driven leader with deep expertise in SEND and inclusion — someone who can coach, influence and inspire leaders and SENDCos, build strong relationships, and drive improvement across diverse school contexts.

This role sits at the heart of Astrea’s ambition that all schools perform in the top 5% nationally by 2030, ensuring equity of experience, opportunity and outcomes for every child.

What We Offer

• Close partnership with the Primary Regional Director
• Collaboration with leaders across Astrea’s Education, Inclusion, Behaviour and Attendance teams
• The opportunity to shape trust‑wide strategy and practice in SEND and inclusion
• A values-driven culture built on inclusion, scholarship and aspiration
• The chance to make a meaningful, measurable difference to outcomes for vulnerable learners

This is a trust‑wide role, involving travel across our primary academies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of Astrea’s Primary Inclusion Strategy
• Champion high‑quality teaching as the foundation of inclusive practice
• Support school leaders and SENDCos to implement exceptional, knowledge‑rich teaching for pupils with SEND
• Embed SEND‑specific approaches seamlessly into mainstream curriculum and instruction
• Play an active role in staff development, strengthening expertise in SEND across all schools
• Secure consistently high standards of SEND provision through trust‑wide strategies, policies and procedures
• Develop the trust’s approach to evidence‑informed, high‑impact interventions
• Provide expert advice on assessment, provision and high‑needs pupils, including in specialist or resource-based settings
• Maintain an accurate understanding of inclusion strengths and priorities across all primary academies
• Analyse SEND data at school and trust level to drive improved outcomes
• Build effective partnerships with Local Authorities and external agencies
• Support compliance with statutory SEND responsibilities, including the SEND Code of Practice and EHCP processes
• Motivate, coach and develop SENDCos to deliver exceptional provision
• Ensure funding streams are secured and utilised effectively to meet pupils’ needs

Why Join Astrea?

Astrea Academy Trust believes that what works best for SEND and disadvantaged pupils works best for all pupils. We are uncompromising in our commitment to powerful knowledge, clear routines, expert teaching and warm‑strict cultures.

As Primary Lead Inclusion, you will be central to this mission, shaping strategy, improving practice, and ensuring that no child’s potential is limited by barriers, labels or lowered expectations.

Interested in Applying?

If you are driven by moral purpose, inspired by evidence, and ready to lead inclusion at scale across a national trust, we would love to hear from you.

To arrange a confidential conversation, please contact the Astrea recruitment team:

Stephen Casey or Sarah Fedun - recruitment@astreaacademytrust.org

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.

We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, committed to removing barriers and supporting the progression of disabled staff.