Trust Strategic SEND Lead & St Francis SENCo in Bristol

Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust is seeking an exceptional SEND leader to join our Trust and help shape the next phase of our SEND and inclusion journey. This is not a traditional SENDCo role. It is a unique opportunity to combine operational SEND leadership within a thriving Catholic primary school with strategic Trust-wide responsibility for SEND and inclusion.

The successful candidate will lead SEND provision at St Francis Catholic Primary School for two days per week whilst also working alongside the CEO and school leaders across the Trust to strengthen systems, develop expertise and help shape the future of inclusive education. We are looking for someone who believes passionately that every child can flourish when barriers are removed, aspirations remain high and inclusion is understood as a shared responsibility.

About the Trust

The Newman Catholic Trust is a growing family of Catholic schools serving communities across the Diocese of Clifton. Our vision is simple: Heart to heart, hand in hand, together we inspire excellence and nurture faith. We are committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. We believe that inclusion is not a separate agenda but a fundamental measure of educational excellence and a reflection of our Catholic mission. As our Trust continues to grow, we are investing in strategic leadership that strengthens provision, builds capacity and improves outcomes for pupils with SEND across all our schools.

Qualifications

• Ambitious for children with SEND and committed to securing excellent outcomes
• Can build strong relationships with pupils, families, school leaders and external agencies
• Has the credibility and expertise to support and develop colleagues across multiple schools
• Is confident using data, provision mapping and evaluation to improve outcomes
• Can think strategically whilst remaining rooted in the needs of individual children and families
• Is passionate about developing inclusive cultures where every teacher sees themselves as a teacher of SEND

Responsibilities

• Leading SEND provision at St Francis Catholic Primary School
• Supporting pupils, families and staff to secure excellent outcomes for children
• Developing Trust-wide systems and approaches to SEND and inclusion
• Leading and developing the Trust SENDCo Network
• Supporting complex cases and strategic SEND development across schools
• Helping to shape policy, practice, CPD and provision mapping across the Trust
• Working with Local Authorities, external agencies and wider partners

Benefits

• A genuinely unique role combining school leadership and Trust-wide influence
• The opportunity to shape SEND and inclusion across a growing family of schools
• Direct access to and support from the CEO and Trust leadership team
• A culture of collaboration, innovation and professional trust
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and system leadership
• The chance to work alongside passionate school leaders committed to improving life chances for children
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to pupils, families and communities

Safeguarding Commitment

The Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, including an online search.