Inclusion Lead

Some children need more than a good education. They need adults who notice, who act and who refuse to accept that background, circumstance or challenge should define a future. At Embark Federation, inclusion is not a department. We need someone to continue to ensure our collective commitment to inclusion is the lived experience in all our schools.

We are looking for an exceptional Inclusion Lead to work across our primary and secondary schools, driving improvements in attendance, behaviour, SEND, vulnerable learner outcomes and inclusive practice. This is a trust-wide strategic leadership role with the opportunity to shape systems, influence leaders and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.

You will work directly with headteachers and senior leaders, providing challenge, support and accountability where it matters most. You will lead reviews, identify risks, build leadership capacity and ensure that inclusion is translated into practical action and measurable impact. You will also lead strategic networks and partnerships, helping us strengthen practice across every school in our family.

We are looking for someone who combines credibility, compassion and determination. Someone who understands attendance, behaviour, SEND and vulnerable groups, but who never loses sight of the child behind the data. Someone who can influence at every level, from classroom to boardroom, and who believes that every pupil deserves to belong, participate and thrive.

In return, you will join a values-led trust serving communities across Derbyshire, where inclusion sits at the heart of our vision: Love Learning, Love Life. You will have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence practice across our 28 schools and help ensure that every child has the chance to succeed.

If you are passionate about equity, inclusion and improving life chances for children, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Commitment: At Embark, the safety and wellbeing of children is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to robust safer recruitment procedures, including enhanced DBS checks, online searches, satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds who share our commitment to ensuring every child can thrive.