Principal Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Lead

Salary: Grade 8, £50,908 per annum.

Contract: 3 Year fixed term contract in line with current DfE Experts at Hand funding. 

Hours:  37 Hours per week.

Closing date: 6 October 2026

About the Role 

Help schools and settings access the right specialist inclusion support, in the right place, at the right time.

As a Principal Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Lead, you will be one of six locality leads within Experts at Hand, Somerset’s new locality-based specialist inclusion workforce.

You will lead and coordinate the Experts at Hand inclusion workforce operating within an allocated locality, ensuring Inclusion Leads are deployed effectively into Early Years settings, schools and post-16 providers according to identified need, local intelligence and agreed priorities.

This is both a leadership and hands-on delivery role. Alongside coordinating and supporting the locality workforce, you will work directly with schools and settings to provide expert advice, coaching and modelling that strengthens inclusive curriculum, teaching and whole-setting practice.

How You'll Make a Difference 

You will:

• Lead and coordinate the Experts at Hand offer within an allocated locality;
• Review local needs and prioritise the deployment of Inclusion Leads;
• Supervise, support and develop the flexible locality-based workforce;
• Provide hands-on coaching, modelling and professional support within schools and settings;
• Ensure support builds sustainable capacity rather than dependency;
• Monitor the quality, reach and impact of locality delivery;
• Identify and escalate emerging gaps, risks and themes; and
• Work with the Expert Adviser and other locality leads to maintain consistent practice across Somerset.

What You'll Bring

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent, with leadership experience in Early Years, Primary or Secondary education.
• Strong expertise in SEND, inclusive education, curriculum development and school improvement.
• Proven ability to lead change, improve outcomes and support high-quality teaching and learning.
• Experience delivering training, coaching and professional development for education staff.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and organisational skills, with confidence working across schools and partner organisations.
• Proficient in the use of digital and assistive technologies to support inclusive education.

We are looking for an experienced education leader with strong expertise in SEND, inclusive curriculum, teaching and school improvement. You will be an excellent coach and communicator, able to lead a locality workforce while working directly alongside practitioners to develop and embed inclusive practice.

Why Join Us? 

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life. 

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave. 

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes. 

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow. 

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services. 

• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work. 

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: 
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/ 

Further Information 

• 33 day’s annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• Flexible working available, using a Hybrid model – working from home and your contracted work base.
• Interviews will take place from 16 October 2026.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.  

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact, Alison Jeffery, Head of Curriculum & Training at alison.jeffery@somerset.gov.uk    

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset. 

You can find a copy of the job description here:   RP203 Principal Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Lead.pdf  

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