Lead SENDCo

This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional to lead and coordinate SEND provision across multiple settings, ensuring outstanding support for students with additional needs.  We are seeking a passionate and experienced Lead SENDCo across our community of 3 schools which will allow you to carry out the duties as the designated SENDCo in Outwood Academy Ripon alongside supporting the other 2 academies in our community.

As the Lead SENDCo across three academies, you will play a strategic role in shaping and implementing a unified approach to SEND provision, ensuring consistency and excellence across all schools. You will work closely with academy principals, SENCOs and support staff to develop and deliver high-quality inclusive practices, while also providing expert guidance on interventions, funding applications, and compliance with statutory requirements. By fostering collaboration among the academies, you will create an integrated support network, enhancing the educational experience and outcomes for all students with additional needs.

The Team at Outwood Academy Ripon

Are you ready to lead with impact? You will join a dynamic and inspiring Senior Leadership Team and together will empower a talented staff community to drive our vision: Students First. Our leadership is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a world-class education.  We maintain a relentless focus on excellence and we pride ourselves on a culture of deep inclusion and unwavering ambition. 

North Yorkshire and Normanby

We are a unique collective of three distinct academies - Outwood Academy Ripon, Outwood Academy Easingwold, and Outwood Academy Normanby - functioning as a unified network where collaboration and innovation are our daily practice.

By joining our North Yorkshire and Normanby community, you gain exposure to three remarkably different educational landscapes, offering a breadth of experience rarely found in one role:

• Outwood Academy Ripon: Set in a historic market town, navigating a competitive local landscape alongside a traditional grammar school.

• Outwood Academy Easingwold: A school at the heart of a beautiful, rural setting with its own unique community needs.

• Outwood Academy Normanby: A true neighbourhood school where the majority of students live within a mile, fostering deep local roots.

Because these schools are at different stages of their journey, the potential for impact is immense. Whether you are looking to share best practices, learn from diverse student demographics, or innovate across different settings, this role offers:

• Unrivalled Collaboration: Work across a network that shares resources, ideas, and support.

• Career Versatility: Develop your skills in rural, urban, and competitive town settings without leaving the trust.

• Student-Centric Mission: Help students thrive by tailoring excellence to their specific environments.

The Trust

The Trust embraces the opportunity to ensure that all children, irrespective of their starting point receive an excellent education. It relishes the opportunity to be part of the much needed regeneration of the areas it works in. It is one of the largest MATs in the country and with that, our academies can draw on a range of expertise. The Trust also works across geographical communities with Outwood Academy Ripon being part of a community of 3 secondary schools in North Yorkshire and Redcar & Cleveland. Senior leaders from the schools work closely together, sharing best practice and supporting one another to ensure continuous and never ending improvement for the students in the community.

This is an exciting time for the school and the community and this role offers a fantastic opportunity to lead the future success of SEND practice across 3 academies. Above all, you will share the school and Trust’s commitment to putting Students First, Raising Standards and Transforming Lives.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Jo Bainbridge, Community Executive Officer, via email on j.bainbridge@outwood.com 

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. 

• Job Description : Click here 

• Person Specification: Click here 

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: 9.00am on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.