Highdown School & Sixth Form is looking for a committed and proactive Inclusion Officer to join us full-time on a permanent basis. This vital role focuses on improving student attendance, particularly supporting those experiencing Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and persistent absence, through tailored interventions and close collaboration with students, families, staff, and external agencies.

Your Opportunity 

As a key worker for vulnerable students, you will provide 1:1 support and help develop individualised plans to meet their needs. You will also champion our PSHCE programme, driving staff training and enhancing the curriculum to reflect current safeguarding priorities. If you are passionate about fostering an inclusive school environment where every student can thrive, we would love to hear from you.

What we are looking for

• GCSE grade ‘C’ or above in Maths and English
• Experience working directly with children with SEND or providing SEND administrative support
• Up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid first aid certificate
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to adapt style to different audiences
• Ability to plan, prioritise workload, and manage time effectively
• Proficient IT skills and ability to interpret data to create actionable plans
• Skilled in motivating and engaging children and their parents/carers
• Ability to keep accurate and detailed records, including children’s files and support plans
• Good understanding of child development and emotional intelligence to support and engage students and staff
• Trustworthy, approachable, and committed to maintaining confidentiality
• Passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives and dedicated to continuous professional development

About Highdown School & Sixth Form Centre

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is a thriving school, established in 1971, where all students are challenged to reach excellence every day. Our most important resource is our staff. Therefore, we aim to create the conditions and culture within the academy that make Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre a rewarding place to work. We are committed to investing in staff professional learning and leadership development, taking action to rationalise workload, promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, and encourage collaboration and peer support.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 17,000 pupils
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

Please read the attached candidate pack for further information.

The Details 

Start Date: 1st Sept 2025

Salary: GLF Associate Specialist: £31,000 (FTE)

Actual Salary: £27,409.92

Hours of work: 37hrs per week, term time only (39 weeks per year)

Closing Date: 20 Jul 2025 

Interview date: TBA 

GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.