About this role
SENDCo and Trust Strategic SEND Lead
Cardinal Newman Catholic Educational Trust
Based at St Francis Catholic Primary School and across Trust schools
0.6 FTE (3 days per week)
2 days per week: SENDCo, St Francis Catholic Primary School
1 day per week: Trust Strategic SEND and Inclusion Lead
Salary: Competitive and dependent upon experience and expertise.
Start Date: September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
A rare opportunity to shape the future of SEND and inclusion across a growing Catholic Trust.
The 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.
We are looking for someone who:
Is 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
The role will include:
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
We can offer:
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
This is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious SENDCo seeking wider influence, an experienced SEND leader looking to contribute beyond a single school, or a future senior leader passionate about inclusion and system improvement.
Visits and informal conversations are warmly welcomed.
To arrange a discussion with the CEO or to visit St Francis Catholic Primary School, please contact:
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.