National SEND Coordinator

Published on 16 July 2025

The Independent Schools Association invites applications for the role of National SEND Coordinator.
Join our dynamic team supporting the head teachers at independent schools to achieve educational
excellence for their pupils.

Do you have a strong background in SEND and a passion for supporting inclusive practice across a
range of school contexts? ISA is looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable professional to work
alongside our Director of Education in supporting member schools with high-quality, evolving SEND
provision. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to national networks, share best practice, and
help schools navigate the ever-changing SEND landscape.

Job overview

Role
Department
Location

Start Date
Salary
Application deadline

National SEND Coordinator
ISA Education Department
Great Chesterford CB10 1PF, North Essex/Cambridge border
or hybrid, or remote – see below for details
January 2026 or earlier
£40,944 – £49,771, plus 7% pension contribution
11 September, 9am

About the employer:

Independent Schools Association

ISA is the umbrella association and national charity supporting 798 independent schools and over
150,000 pupils nationally. Full information about the Association and its structure can be seen at
www.isaschools.org.uk.

Please also see our Why work for us website page, including further information for applicants.

ISA is an equal opportunity employer. ISA is an inclusive and nurturing organisation where
employees feel empowered to share their experiences and ideas in a culture where difference is
valued. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and fostering opportunities to
improve our understanding and practice. We welcome the positive impact that diverse and inclusive
teams have at all levels of the Association, celebrating their differing approaches and points of view.

More on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at ISA.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please email your CV plus two documents (see below) to the CEO, Rudi
Eliott Lockhart through karen.goddard@isaschools.org.uk.
Please download, complete and return the two templates:

1)  Cover letter template* (this is an anonymised sheet)
2)  Core details form (this is a simple, single page form)

*This sheet is used for anonymous initial shortlisting, so should not include your name, etc. We
recognise that some personal details—such as your name, age, gender identity, ethnicity, or other
background information—may unintentionally give rise to unconscious bias during recruitment
processes. You are not required to disclose personal information of this nature if you feel it may
unfairly impact how your application is assessed. You should use the job description, person
specification and skills base as a guide.

Interviews will be held on 26 September 2025.
Details on the Vacancies section of the ISA website: www.isaschools.org.uk.

Data relating to applications is stored securely for six months after the closing date of the advert.
You can view our Privacy Policy on our website.

Job Description

This job description is a summary of the key accountabilities associated with the post. As such it
supplements the basic duties outlined in the standard ISA contract of employment in accordance
with the Association’s policies and values, and under the direction of the CEO.

Contract

The post is a full-time, permanent contract, subject to satisfactory completion of a
nine-month probationary period. It is subject to checks that include verifying the
right to work in the UK.

Start Date

Start date from January 2026. We would consider a later or earlier start date for the
right candidate.

Reports to:

The Director of Education and Inclusion

Hours of work:  35 hours per week

Usually 9.00 – 5.00, incl. one hour unpaid lunch break. We would also welcome
applications for termtime only working.
Some flexibility is required, including occasional weekend working. Travel to events
is often outside of normal working hours.

Holidays

25 days per annum, plus up to 8 bank holidays. Holidays must be taken outside of
published school term times. Option for additional unpaid leave during school
holidays, by agreement, or a termtime only contract.

Location

Remote, hybrid, or at our office in Great Chesterford: ISA House, Great Chesterford
Court  CB10 1PF

Visit schools, attend meetings, and other ISA events offsite, as required. The role
involves some travel nationally, sometimes requiring overnight stays.

Remuneration  Salary: £40,944 – £49,771; plus additional pension contribution by ISA of 7% of gross

salary. Salary is reviewed annually in September and is subject to a performance
uplift within the agreed salary bands, plus cost-of-living uplift.

Role Overview

The National SEND Coordinator will contribute to the ISA mission by supporting the development
and implementation of effective SEND practices across the membership. The post-holder will work
with a wide range of schools, including those with dedicated SEND provision, those within SEND-
focused groups, and mainstream schools supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or
disabilities.

Working under the guidance of the Director of Education, the role will involve contributing to the
interpretation of national policy, supporting the development of practical resources, and assisting in
the delivery of tailored guidance to enhance inclusive and high quality SEND provision across the ISA
community. Central to this role is building effective relationships and fostering communication
among SEND professionals within and beyond the network.

The post-holder will help strengthen existing SEND networks, facilitate collaboration, and support
the sharing of best practice. They will contribute to the Association’s aim of nurturing a connected
and engaged SEND community, building on established initiatives and helping shape future
opportunities for member schools.

Core duties

Work with the Director of Education to support the delivery of strategies that promote strong
SEND provision across member schools.
Keep informed of relevant changes in government policy, legislation, and guidance, providing
summaries and insights to help schools respond effectively.
Contribute to the development and sharing of SEND resources, such as policy templates, guidance
documents, and toolkits, under the direction of the Director of Education.
Assist in the coordination and delivery of training sessions, webinars, and workshops on current
SEND issues, approaches, and updates.
Provide general advice and signposting to member schools on SEND policy and practice, referring
complex or strategic issues to senior colleagues as needed.
Help facilitate connections among SEND coordinators and professionals across the ISA network to
encourage collaboration and information-sharing at both local and national levels.
Support the Director of Education in representing the Association in relevant external discussions
and consultations around SEND policy and practice.
Stay informed of the wider education landscape and assist in highlighting relevant developments
for member schools.
Support evaluation and feedback processes related to SEND initiatives, identifying opportunities
for improvement or development.
Encourage and support the development of partnerships between ISA schools and the state
sector to promote mutual learning.
Support member schools in exploring practical ways to manage and reduce costs within Learning
Support Departments without compromising quality.
Other related duties and responsibilities as reasonably directed by the Director of Education and
Inclusion and the CEO.

Person specification and skills base

The successful candidate will:

Have a minimum of five years’ employment in a relevant role related to SEND.
Bring a broad and practical understanding of SEND education, grounded in experience within
school settings.
Have experience supporting or implementing SEND strategies and policies in an educational
context.
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to staying informed about evolving SEND legislation, policy,
and best practice.
Have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with a range of
professionals.
Demonstrate good organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities under the direction of
a senior leader.

The successful candidate may:
Have experience working in or with independent schools, particularly those with a SEND focus.
Show understanding of the unique context of SEND education within the independent sector.
Have experience contributing to staff development or supporting professional learning in SEND.

Please note: This job description reflects the core activities of the role and as the Association and
the post-holder develop, there will inevitably be changes in the emphasis of duties. It is expected
that the post-holder will recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work and be willing to
participate in appropriate training.

Summary of terms and conditions of service

This appointment is made under the agreed Terms and Conditions of Service for ISA staff.

The post requires some off-site work to visit schools, attend meetings, and other ISA events, as
required. The role involves some travel nationally, sometimes requiring overnight stays.

ISA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
expects all employees and those associated with the Association to share this commitment. Please
note that this post will require the satisfactory completion of all pre-appointment checks, including
the right to work in the UK, and given the nature of our work in support of schools, may require an
enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (Criminal Records Bureau) check.

Remote, Flexible and Hybrid Working
If you are seeking a fully remote contract or significant hybrid working, please make your
expectations and availability clear in your application letter.

Questions?

We are very happy to answer any queries that you may have at this stage. If you would like to know
about the role, please phone Helen Stanton-Tonner on 01799 523619, or by email on
helen.stanton-tonner@isaschools.org.uk.

Please also see our Why work for us website page, including further information for applicants.