Compass Associates
Director of Education - SEND
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Director of Education
Location: National
Salary: Competitive Salary - Open to discuss
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Education to join an established specialist education provider supporting a diverse portfolio of SEN schools across the UK.
This is a high-profile leadership position, responsible for driving educational excellence across multiple settings. Working closely with senior leaders and executive leadership, you will ensure consistently high standards of teaching, learning, and outcomes while supporting the continued growth and development of the organisation.
This is not an operational school leadership role. Instead, your focus will be on educational strategy, school improvement, quality assurance, and developing exceptional educational practice across a large, geographically dispersed portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic educational leadership across a portfolio of specialist SEN schools.
- Line manage and develop a team of senior education leaders and direct reports.
- Drive continuous improvement in educational standards, curriculum quality, and teaching and learning.
- Lead quality assurance processes, including school reviews, audits, and improvement planning.
- Ensure consistency of educational practice and compliance across multiple sites.
- Support Headteachers and senior leadership teams to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and young people.
- Work collaboratively with Executive Leadership on strategic initiatives, acquisitions, school openings, and organisational growth.
- Analyse educational performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Champion innovation, evidence-based practice, and a culture of continuous professional development.
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About You
We're looking for an experienced educational leader who can demonstrate:
- Significant senior leadership experience within specialist education or SEN.
- Experience overseeing a large portfolio of schools or educational provisions.
- A proven track record of improving educational standards across multiple sites.
- Strong knowledge of curriculum development, quality assurance frameworks, and school improvement.
- Experience managing and developing multiple senior leaders or direct reports.
- Excellent strategic thinking, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to build credibility with Headteachers, Executive Leaders, and external stakeholders.
- A willingness to travel regularly across a national portfolio.
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What's on Offer
- Opportunity to influence educational strategy across a national organisation.
- High levels of visibility with senior and executive leadership.
- A varied, strategic role with genuine opportunity to shape educational outcomes at scale.
- Competitive salary and benefits packages.
Contact Details
To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Jordanna Osborn at 02394211147 or josborn@compassltd.co.uk
Compass Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £500 vouchers for each successful recommendation.
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