Why join us as Director of Vulnerable Learners (Maternity Cover)?

This is a rare and significant opportunity to provide strategic leadership for some of our most vulnerable children and young people, at a time when inclusive practice, behaviour and alternative provision matter more than ever.

At Spencer Academies Trust, inclusion is not a bolt-on; it is central to how we design our systems, support our schools and improve outcomes across our family of academies. We are ambitious for children with SEND, EAL and Pupil Premium, and uncompromising in our belief that vulnerability should never limit life chances.

As Director of Vulnerable Learners, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining high-quality inclusive practice across both primary and secondary phases. Working closely with academy Principals, SENCOs, behaviour leads and senior leaders, you will provide strategic direction, robust challenge and practical support to ensure that vulnerable learners experience strong teaching, effective support and consistent practice. This role offers a truly trust-wide remit. You will lead and quality assure approaches to SEND, EAL, Pupil Premium, behaviour and alternative provision, ensuring that systems reflect best national practice while remaining responsive to local context. You will act as a key point of professional reassurance for leaders, supporting complex decision-making, complaints resolution and partnership work with local authorities and external agencies.

You will also be a core part of the Inclusion Team, contributing to broader trust priorities through data-informed improvement work, professional networks, policy development and targeted reviews. The role provides a clear line of sight between strategic leadership, academy-level practice and improved outcomes for children.

We are looking for an experienced, values-driven leader who combines strong technical knowledge with credibility, empathy and influence. Someone who understands the realities of school leadership, can hold high expectations with compassion, and is motivated by impact rather than profile.

This maternity cover offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference at scale within a supportive and ambitious trust. If you are passionate about inclusive practice, committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable learners, and excited by the opportunity to lead across a diverse group of academies, we would love to hear from you.   Please ensure that you have secured approval from your Principal / Line Manager if applying as a secondment. 

 Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to interview and close the advert ahead of the closing date. 

Spencer Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and young people. Therefore, we expect everyone to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre- employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Barred List Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the completion of Level 2 Safeguarding training. It is an offence to apply for the role if an applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children (where the role involves this type of regulated activity).

The Trust and its member academies are committed to promoting equality and diversity in both employment and education provision. We aim to ensure that students, parents, governors, employees, contractors, partners, clients and other stakeholders within the Trust community are treated fairly, and with dignity and respect regardless of Protected Characteristics.

Spencer Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.