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Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills is a senior manager in schools, colleges, or local councils who oversees programmes that help everyone access education and learn new skills. This role focuses on making sure all students, including those with special educational needs or from different backgrounds, have equal opportunities to succeed. Responsibilities include developing strategies for teaching, managing staff, ensuring legal requirements for inclusion are met, and building partnerships with community organisations. These directors also help design and improve training and learning programmes, making sure they are accessible and effective for everyone. The job is important for creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, and requires strong leadership, communication, and planning skills.

Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Directors of Learning, Inclusion and Skills typically earn between £55,000 and £85,000 per year in the UK, depending on experience and location.

Job Availability

There were around 1,800 positions for directors and senior managers in education, inclusion, and skills across the UK in 2023.

Typical Working Hours

Most directors work full-time, averaging 37 to 40 hours per week, often with some evening or weekend commitments.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Special Educational Needs Coordinator

Works in schools to support pupils with special educational needs, making sure they have the help they need to learn and succeed.

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Inclusion Support Worker

Assists students who may need extra support with their learning, helping them feel included and confident at school.

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Learning Mentor

Helps students overcome barriers to learning, giving them guidance and encouragement to do their best at school.

Build a Strong Educational Foundation

Focus on School Subjects

Work hard to achieve good grades in your GCSEs, especially in English, Maths, and Science.

Strong results at GCSE level in core subjects will help you move on to higher education and show that you have the dedication needed for a leadership role in education. You might also want to select additional subjects that interest you, such as Psychology, Sociology, or Business Studies, to broaden your understanding of learning and inclusion.

Study for A Levels or Equivalent

Take A Levels or another Level 3 qualification, focusing on subjects related to education, social sciences, or leadership.

Choosing subjects like English, Sociology, Psychology, or even Business Studies at A Level can help you understand learning, people, and organisations. Alternatively, you might consider a BTEC or similar qualification in health and social care or education if it is available at your school or college.

Gain Higher Education and Experience

Earn a University Degree

Apply for a degree in education, special educational needs, social sciences, or a related field.

A university degree is often essential for leadership roles in education. Courses in education, inclusive education, social work, or psychology are especially relevant. You might also choose a teaching degree if you want to go straight into the classroom. Many universities offer placements or practical experiences as part of their courses.

Get Qualified Teaching Experience

Train as a teacher and gain classroom experience, focusing on inclusion and supporting students with different needs.

You can become a qualified teacher through a postgraduate course like a PGCE after your degree, or through other routes such as School Direct or Teach First. Experience in teaching will help you understand the needs of different learners, and working as a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or in pastoral roles can give you valuable skills in inclusion and support.

Develop Leadership Skills and Progress Your Career

Take on Leadership Roles

Apply for middle and senior leadership positions, such as Head of Department or Assistant Headteacher.

To become a Director, you need to show you can lead teams and manage change. Look for opportunities to lead projects, chair committees, or take on responsibility for areas like inclusion, safeguarding, or curriculum development. Completing courses in educational leadership can also help you develop your management skills.

Gain Specialist Experience in Inclusion and Skills

Work in roles that focus on inclusion, special educational needs, or skills development.

Positions like SENCO, Inclusion Manager, or Head of Skills and Careers allow you to develop expertise in creating inclusive educational environments and helping students prepare for work or further education. This specialist experience is highly valuable for a Director role.

Apply for Director Positions

Look for Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills roles in schools, colleges, or local authorities and apply when ready.

When you have several years of leadership experience, a proven track record in inclusion, and a passion for student development, you can apply for Director level jobs. These roles require strong communication, management, and strategic planning skills. You might need to complete further qualifications, such as a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), to progress to this level.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

Both roles involve developing and implementing training programmes to enhance skills and knowledge within organisations. They require a focus on learning strategies, inclusion, and skills development, making them closely aligned in terms of qualifications and objectives.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

This role is open to graduates from all subjects. It can be particularly useful to do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • business studies
  • communications
  • psychology
  • education and training
  • human resources management

You could also study for a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Most degree subjects are accepted for entry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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College

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Courses include:

  • learning and development
  • digital skills: teaching and learning
  • facilitating learning and development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

If you're looking to go into training management, you could do a Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships take a minimum of one year and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Work

You could start as an assistant in a human resources, recruitment or training department, and work your way up by taking training and development qualifications on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll need experience in training or teaching to be successful. Employers will expect you to have an understanding of their industry.

They may also want you to have a qualification in the subject you wish to offer training. For example, a recognised IT qualification to teach IT skills.

Other Routes

You can take professional qualifications in learning and development, either online or at a training centre, approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

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Career tips

You'll have an advantage when looking for work if you have experience and qualifications from:

  • teaching in schools or further education
  • working as a skills assessor

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a training officer from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

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