School Principal

Field View Care Recruitment Solutions; Five Oaks; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Field View Care Recruitment Solutions is seeking an exceptional School Principal for a multi-provision academy in West Sussex. You will drive strategic leadership, oversee operations, and develop staff across campuses to deliver outstanding outcomes for students with complex needs.

You will lead governance, safeguarding, budgeting, and stakeholder partnerships, shaping a sustainable growth strategy while maintaining the unique identity of each provision and a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in education.
• Experience leading multi-site provisions.
• Strong governance, safeguarding, and regulatory knowledge.
• Proven ability to drive growth and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the campus provisions.
• Oversee budgeting, resource management, and compliance.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and talent development.
• Strengthen partnerships with Local Authorities and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding

Change management

Education

Master’s degree in Education or Educational Administration

PhD in Education (optional)

Job description

School Principal Billingshurst West Sussex RH14

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Principal to lead our expanding educational provision and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader with a proven background in managing complex, multi-curriculum educational settings and driving outstanding outcomes for students, staff, and stakeholders.

As Principal, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and direct support across multiple educational provisions on one campus. With significant growth already achieved and ambitious plans for the future, we are looking for a leader who can maintain the unique identity of each provision while driving excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth across the wider organisation.

Our IMS provision caters for students aged 3-19 years with neurological motor impairment such as Cerebral Palsy and associated medical and sensory needs. Following the Conductive Education approach, focussing on the holistic development of everyone, including their physical and communication skills.

We know that our staff team make the school what it is today and are the key to a successful future. Staff are well supported by the leadership team and are offered opportunities to progress. We know that each and every one of our staff have a pivotal role to play and we believe in supporting everyone to fulfil their potential. Our School is a rewarding place to work, and staff report high levels of job satisfaction.

Our School is a non-maintained special school.

Based in its own idyllic grounds, our School offers extensive specialist facilities with the aim to provide an exceptional learning environment, helping children and young people fulfil their potential. Facilities include woodland and outdoor classroom space, high specification sensory room and swimming pool.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and fulfilling life, regardless of their background or disability. The aim of our services is to provide a safe and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to flourish and grow.

About The Role of School Principal

Reporting to senior leadership, you will be responsible for the overall performance, development, and strategic direction of the educational provision. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, and create a culture where students and staff can thrive.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong commercial awareness, exceptional people management skills, and a passion for delivering life-changing educational experiences for young people and their families.

Key Responsibilities of School Principal

Strategic Leadership

• Provide inspirational leadership across all educational establishments.
• Lead the strategic development and future growth of the campus and associated provisions.
• Develop and deliver school and college improvement plans aligned to organisational strategy.
• Drive innovation and diversification to strengthen and expand services.
• Support active marketing and promotion of the organisation and its educational offer.

Operational Management

• Take overall responsibility for planning, budgeting, resource management, occupancy levels, and operational performance.
• Ensure all statutory, regulatory, and safeguarding requirements are fully met.
• Maintain strong governance relationships with the Local Governing Body, Chair, and Governors.
• Foster productive partnerships with Local Authorities, commissioners, parents, and external stakeholders.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop multidisciplinary teams across all establishments.
• Create a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, coach, and develop educational and support staff in line with organisational policies.
• Champion staff wellbeing, engagement, and professional development.
• Drive a \"grow our own\" culture by investing in talent and succession planning.

Student Outcomes

• Ensure students' educational, physical, emotional, and safeguarding needs are fully met.
• Deliver a high-quality, responsive, and outcomes-focused approach to education.
• Embed best practice to ensure the provision remains a first-choice provider for families and stakeholders.
• Strive for the highest standards of quality and inspection outcomes.

School Principal Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience within education.(Independent Sector desirable)
• Master’s degree or PhD in Education, Educational Administration, or Business Leadership.
• Experience leading complex or multi-site educational provisions.
• Evidence supporting students aged 3-19 years with neurological motor impairments such as cerebral palsy and associated sensory and medical needs
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, compliance, education regulation, and risk management.
• Proven experience of strategic planning, budget management, and service development.
• Outstanding leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships with parents, governors, commissioners, Local Authorities, and partner agencies.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and achieving exceptional outcomes for young people.
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting organisational growth and sustainability.

We Offer our School Principal

• The opportunity to lead and shape a growing educational provision.
• A highly rewarding role making a genuine difference to the lives of young people.
• Supportive and collaborative leadership environment.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• The chance to influence the future direction of a unique and innovative educational setting.

School Principal Salary
L17 £79,46
L18 £81,457
L19 £83,478
L20 £85,547

Start date – October 2026

40 Hours per week

Term time only (however exceptions for headteachers as expected to be available during the holidays – not able to take holiday during term time)