Principal / Headteacher (Specialist Education)
Location: Billingshurst, West Sussex
Salary: £79,460 - £85,547 per annum
Job Type: Full Time | Permanent
Lead. Inspire. Transform.
An established specialist education provider is seeking an exceptional Principal / Headteacher to lead a growing specialist education campus supporting children and young people with complex physical, neurological and additional learning needs.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced education leader to shape the future of an expanding provision, leading multiple educational services while driving outstanding outcomes for pupils, staff and families.
Working closely with senior leadership and governors, you will provide strategic direction, operational oversight and inspirational leadership across the campus, ensuring exceptional educational standards, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.
If you're an ambitious senior leader with experience leading specialist education or complex SEND provisions, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
The Role
As Principal / Headteacher, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, performance and strategic development of the educational provision.
You'll ensure the highest standards of teaching, safeguarding and operational excellence while leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
This role requires an inspirational leader who combines educational expertise with strong commercial awareness, financial management and stakeholder engagement.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership
- Provide inspirational leadership across multiple educational provisions on one campus.
- Lead the strategic growth and future development of the education service.
- Develop and deliver school improvement plans aligned with organisational objectives.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of the provision.
- Promote the organisation's educational offer and strengthen its reputation.
Operational Leadership
- Take overall responsibility for operational performance, budgets and resource management.
- Support sustainable occupancy growth and long-term service development.
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, Ofsted, education legislation and statutory requirements.
- Maintain effective governance relationships with Governors and senior leaders.
- Build positive partnerships with Local Authorities, commissioners and external agencies.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, inspire and develop multidisciplinary education and support teams.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Recruit, coach and retain high-performing staff.
- Champion staff wellbeing, engagement and professional development.
- Develop future leaders through effective succession planning.
Quality & Student Outcomes
- Ensure every pupil receives high-quality, person-centred education.
- Promote exceptional safeguarding and pupil welfare.
- Drive continuous school improvement and inspection readiness.
- Deliver outstanding educational outcomes across all provisions.
- Ensure the service remains a provider of choice for pupils, families and commissioners.
About YouEssential
- Significant senior leadership experience within education.
- Experience leading complex, specialist or multi-site educational provisions.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, Ofsted requirements, education legislation and regulatory compliance.
- Proven experience managing budgets, resources and operational performance.
- Demonstrable experience delivering school improvement and organisational change.
- Outstanding leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent relationship-building skills with Local Authorities, commissioners, governors and families.
- Passion for delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
Desirable
- Experience within SEND, specialist education or additional needs settings.
- Experience supporting organisational growth and service development.
- Commercial awareness with an understanding of education sustainability.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across complex educational environments.
What You'll Receive
- Competitive salary of £79,460 - £85,547 per annum
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Ongoing leadership and professional development
- Supportive and collaborative senior leadership team
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free 24/7 Online GP
- Health Cash Plan
- Life Assurance
- Flexible pay through Wagestream
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Gym and fitness discounts
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- National Trust discounts
- A rewarding opportunity to shape the lives of children and young people through outstanding specialist education
Safeguarding
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment practices, including an Enhanced DBS check and any other relevant pre-employment checks.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced Principal, Headteacher, Executive Headteacher or Senior Education Leader looking to lead an ambitious specialist education provision and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WOLF HEALTHCARE IS ACTING AS AN AGENCY FOR THIS FULL TIME, PERMANENT POSITION
IND1
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £79,460.00-£85,547.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- Do you have a deep knowledge of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.?
- Do you have a commitment to inclusion, learner success, and educational excellence.?
- Do you have significant senior leadership experience within further education.?
*
Experience leading quality improvement and driving measurable outcomes.
Do you possess outstanding leadership, influencing, and stakeholder engagement?skills.
Work Location: In person
