A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Martin Walker - Principal
Our vision is simple – to develop remarkable people. That applies not only to the pupils, but also to the staff in whom we invest. We take a pupil-centred approach at Berkhamsted; they are at the heart of our decision making and fuel our ambition to deliver excellence in all that we do
We aim high with integrity and are proud to have a collective growth mindset and a willingness to be adventurous through innovation, continual learning, and being a research-led school. This leads to an agility, the provision of outstanding CPD for staff, and the delivery of a forward-thinking curriculum that enables pupils to flourish both at, and beyond, Berkhamsted. The inherent joy that stems from learning, from being part of an ambitious and caring team, and from making progress inspires not only our pupils, but also our staff.
Berkhamsted School also appreciates the significance of community within and beyond the school; we aim to serve others and have a positive impact through our community and charity work. Moreover, we focus not only on doing well and doing good for the pupils, but also through the pupils. This strong sense of purpose combined with an unwavering commitment to our values make this a special place to work. Our staff are so important to us that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff; her role is to ensure the staff also flourish
A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer
Our staff are our most important asset at Berkhamsted; investing in their professional development with their wellbeing a key priority We foster a working environment that firstly provides a sense of belonging and supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school.
We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality, equity, respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which last a lifetime and enrich our professional and personal experience.
History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’)
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997 The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11.
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and co-educational teaching Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
The Director of Learning Support and Inclusion will provide strategic leadership for SEND and inclusion across the Berkhamsted Schools Group. This role is intended to operate at a whole-group strategic level, leading the vision, development, consistency, and quality assurance of inclusive provision across all schools. While the Director will line manage and support SENCOs across the Group, the operational delivery of day-to-day SENCO responsibilities within individual schools will remain the responsibility of the relevant school-based SENCOs. The Director will ensure alignment of practice, statutory compliance, consistency of provision, and continual development of inclusive teaching and learning across the organisation This position also comes with teaching responsibilities, of which all subject specialisms will be considered.
The Director of Learning Support and Inclusion will also hold strategic oversight of Access Arrangements across the Group, ensuring processes are inclusive, fair, compliant, and consistently implemented across all schools Working collaboratively with school leaders, staff, pupils, families, and external agencies, the Director will champion a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging throughout the Berkhamsted Schools Group.
The Director of Learning Support and Inclusion is required to show leadership in securing standards of excellence in teaching and learning and will play a key role in developing school policy and directing the strategic vision for Berkhamsted School. The post holder will provide vision for the department and ensure that key objectives align with the School Development Plan. They are expected to monitor, support, appraise and develop colleagues, setting high professional standards and supporting professional development and improvement across the wider Learning Support and Inclusion provision.
Job Description
Strategic Leadership Responsibilities
Implement and lead the Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy across the Berkhamsted Schools Group.
Provide strategic leadership for SEND, inclusion, adaptive teaching, and equitable access across all schools.
Manage and support SENCOs across the Berkhamsted Schools Group.
Alongside SMT, review the effectiveness and efficiency of existing procedures and implement transformational change.
As required, attend meetings with the Senior Management Team to discuss SEND strategy, policy, and pupil provision
Ensure the Group remains up to date with current SEND legislation, statutory guidance, JCQ regulations, and best practice
Promote and develop inclusive learning and teaching throughout the School.
Ensure the identified learning needs of all pupils are appropriately supported.
Plan strategically for SEND and inclusion across the Group
Raise standards of pupil attainment and achievement across inclusion provision.
Be accountable for pupil progress and development across inclusion.
Ensure provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant, and adaptive curriculum.
Coordinate services and external agencies to provide seamless pupil-centred support.
Oversee provision for pupils with EAL and monitor their progression
Promote links with other Learning Support Heads of Department within the Haileybury Group and more widely.
Encourage and develop innovative approaches to learning, including online resources
Contribute to a whole-school culture of inclusion, belonging, and accessibility.
Developing and reviewing learning support programmes and interventions
Job
Job Description
Oversight of School-Based SENCO Provision
The Director will provide leadership, guidance, oversight, and quality assurance for school-based SENCO provision across the Group. Operational responsibilities delegated to SENCO teams may include:
Managing the assessment of individual pupil needs and consulting with parents regarding provision and support.
Referrals to external agencies where appropriate
Maintaining SEND registers and pupil records.
Coordinating pupil profiles
Supporting adaptive teaching approaches across departments.
Liaising with teaching staff regarding pupil support strategies.
Supporting pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities through targeted intervention
Organising screening procedures for new pupils.
Supporting transition and admissions processes for pupils with SEND.
Liaising with external agencies regarding EHCP provision
Supporting departments with adaptive teaching strategies.
The Director will ensure consistency, compliance, and high standards across these processes while empowering school-based SENCOs to manage day-to-day operational provision effectively.
Access Arrangements Coordinator – Berkhamsted Schools Group
The Director of Learning Support and Inclusion will hold strategic oversight of Access Arrangements across the Berkhamsted Schools Group.
Responsibilities include:
Leading and overseeing the effective administration of Access Arrangements in line with JCQ regulations, the Equality Act 2010, and awarding body requirements
Job Description Job
Reviewing and continually developing Access Arrangements processes to ensure they are inclusive, fair, transparent, and supportive.
Ensuring reasonable adjustments are appropriately considered for pupils with disabilities and additional needs
Ensuring clear, empathetic, and timely communication with pupils, parents, staff, and external professionals.
Acting as the school’s designated Access Arrangements Assessor, or coordinating assessments through appropriately qualified specialists.
Ensuring all Access Arrangements are identified, assessed, processed, and reviewed within required deadlines.
Maintaining accurate and compliant records of normal way of working and supporting evidence. Liaising with teaching staff to gather evidence of need and establish appropriate classroom practice
Working closely with Examinations Officers to ensure approved arrangements are implemented effectively.
Providing training and guidance for staff on Access Arrangements procedures and inclusive examination practice.
Monitoring the effectiveness and appropriateness of Access Arrangements to support pupil independence, wellbeing, accessibility, and attainment.
Overseeing the use of assistive technology and approved examination support arrangements.
Ensuring confidentiality and data protection procedures are maintained
Leadership & Management Responsibilities
The Director of Learning Support and Inclusion will:
Lead and manage staff to ensure high-quality teaching, support, and professional development. Liaise with SMT regarding recruitment and appointment within the department
Provide induction, guidance, and support for new staff.
Job Description Job
Ensure best practice in teaching, learning, documentation, and professionalism is consistently upheld.
Identify training needs and liaise with the CPD Coordinator regarding professional development opportunities
Evaluate staff performance through the formal Staff Appraisal process.
Coordinate lesson observation and departmental quality assurance processes.
Organise regular departmental meetings and ensure effective communication
Support departmental organisation, staffing, and cover arrangements where necessary.
Manage and deploy teaching and support staff, financial resources, and physical resources effectively.
Essential Skills and Attributes
Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead, manage, and motivate teams towards a shared vision.
Flexibility and adaptability when working across a multi-site organisation
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage challenging conversations sensitively. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and listening skills.
Strong organisational and time-management skills.
High-level administrative and operational management capability
Ability to work collaboratively with Senior Leaders, Middle Leaders, teaching staff, support staff, families, and external agencies.
BenefitsBenefits
We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme
The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing
Free classes and advisory services memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme
Watch our video
Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community
BenefitsSafeguarding and Child Protection
Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding
A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 14 June 2026
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group, along with documentary evidence of qualifications A background screening service including a review of candidate’s online presence will be carried out as part of the recruitment process, by an independent third-party screening partner.
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK. Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn)
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview.
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.
