Principal

Fox Grove School; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fox Grove School in Leatherhead, Surrey, invites an inspirational Principal to lead its all-through special school for pupils aged 4–19 with complex autism through its next chapter.

You will shape teaching and learning, curriculum design, therapeutic and pastoral support, and the wider experience of pupils and families, delivering ambitious, compassionate leadership to a dedicated staff and strengthening the school's local and national impact.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in special education.
• Strong strategic planning and change management.
• Excellent communication with pupils, families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide ambitious and compassionate leadership to a highly committed staff team, ensuring specialist teaching, learning, care and support remain at the heart of all we do.
• Shape the continued development of teaching and learning, curriculum, therapeutic and pastoral support, and the wider experience of pupils and families.
• Lead on safety, inclusion and pupil outcomes, fostering independence and preparing pupils for the next stage of their lives.
• Strengthen Fox Grove’s influence within the local community and the wider special education sector.

Skills

Leadership

Special education

Curriculum development

Staff development

Job description

Lead an exceptional special school into its next chapter

Fox Grove School is a vibrant, purpose-built all-through special school in Leatherhead, Surrey, providing an inspiring education for more than 150 young people aged 4-19 with complex autism (ASD). It is a flourishing and oversubscribed school with a strong reputation for specialist education.

At the heart of Fox Grove is a simple but powerful ambition: for every young person to live their best life. The school has created a culture built on safety, belonging, connection and trust, alongside a relentless focus on developing the skills, confidence and independence that will enable pupils to thrive in their futures.

Now, we are looking for an inspirational Principal to lead Fox Grove into its next chapter.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established or emerging senior leader with expertise in special education to build on a strong foundation while bringing fresh thinking, energy and ambition to the school’s future. You will have the opportunity to shape the continued development of teaching and learning, curriculum, therapeutic and pastoral support, and the wider experience of pupils and families.

As Principal, you will provide ambitious and compassionate leadership to a highly committed staff team, ensuring that specialist teaching, learning, care and support remain at the heart of everything we do. You will champion the school’s distinctive culture while creating new opportunities for pupils to achieve, develop independence and prepare confidently for the next stage of their lives.

There is also an opportunity to extend Fox Grove’s influence beyond the school strengthening its role within the local community and the wider special education sector, sharing expertise and helping to shape best practice.

Fox Grove is part of THPT Schools, a values-led multi-academy trust of special, primary and secondary schools across Surrey. You will be supported by experienced and talented colleagues within the school and across the Trust, with access to a wide range of expertise and professional support.

This is a school with a strong foundation, a clear sense of purpose and real ambition for the future. We are looking for a leader who will embrace that opportunity and make their mark.

If you are an established or aspiring senior leader with a passion for specialist and inclusive education, we would be delighted to hear from you.

All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.

The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are 'spent' under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.