Director of SEND in Hillingdon, London

A four-form-entry primary academy in Hillingdon is seeking an experienced and ambitious Director of SEND to lead its established specialist autism provision and champion inclusive practice across the school. This is a permanent leadership opportunity starting in January 2027.

Key Details

• Position: Director of SEND
• Location: Hillingdon, UB3
• Start Date: January 2027
• Contract: Full-time, permanent
• Salary: Leadership Scale L1-L5
• Annual Salary: £57,837-£63,393

The Role

As Director of SEND, you will:

• Set the strategic direction for SEND across the Hillingdon academy
• Lead an established specialist autism provision
• Represent the provision at academy and multi-academy trust level
• Lead, support and develop the specialist teaching and support team
• Shape an inclusive curriculum that meets pupils' individual needs
• Support pupils across pre-formal, semi-formal and formal curriculum pathways
• Use assessment evidence to evaluate provision and identify priorities
• Monitor the impact of interventions and improvement strategies
• Lead the development, implementation and review of SEND policies
• Coach staff and strengthen inclusive practice across the academy
• Work collaboratively with families, governors, external professionals and local services in Hillingdon

The specialist provision consists of three classes of eight pupils. Pupils work across a range of pathways, from the Engagement Model through to the early stages of Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 curricula.

Requirements

The successful Director of SEND must:

• Have substantial senior leadership experience within SEND
• Demonstrate a record of improving provision and pupil outcomes
• Have strong knowledge of autism and specialist provision
• Understand pre-formal, semi-formal and formal curriculum pathways
• Have expertise in inclusive curriculum design and assessment
• Be able to translate strategic priorities into practical improvements
• Lead, coach and develop teaching and support staff effectively
• Communicate confidently with families, governors and external professionals
• Understand the needs of pupils and families within a diverse Hillingdon community

If you are an experienced Director of SEND interested in leading an established specialist autism provision in Hillingdon, please reply with your CV as soon as possible.

Academics is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. Successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and all other safer-recruitment and compliance checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy.