Foundation Principal | U5 | Special School

Drury Specialist School (Proposed opening date: 2028-02-08); Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Drury Specialist School in Auckland seeks an experienced educational leader to establish and lead one of New Zealand's newest specialist schools serving learners aged 5–21 with high and complex needs.

You will develop the school's vision, culture, systems and partnerships with whānau, iwi and external agencies, ensuring readiness to open and thrive alongside the Establishment Board. The role requires a current NZ practising certificate and strong senior leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Holds a current New Zealand practising certificate.
• Demonstrates strong senior leadership experience.
• Understands specialist education, inclusive practice, and interdisciplinary service delivery.
• Has experience supporting learners with diverse and complex needs.
• Can lead staffing, finance, property, compliance, and strategic development.
• Builds strong relationships with whānau, iwi, schools, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the school's vision, culture, systems, workforce and community partnerships.
• Ensure the school is ready to open and thrive in partnership with the Establishment Board.
• Oversee staffing, finance, property, compliance and strategic development for the new school.
• Build strong relationships with whānau, iwi, other schools and external agencies.
• Provide resilient and clear leadership through complexity and change.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Specialist education

Inclusive practice

Interdisciplinary service delivery

Staffing, finance, property, and risk/

Relationship building with whānau/iwi/

Education

New Zealand practising certificate

Job description

Drury Specialist School (Proposed opening date: 2028-02-08) Auckland

Full time, Permanent

Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi, Principal

Belonging / Mana Whenua, Contribution / Mana Tangata, Communication / Mana Reo, Exploration / Mana Aotūroa, Well-being / Mana Atua
TBC

Full time, Permanent | U5 | Specialist School (Years 1–15)

This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead one of Aotearoa New Zealand's newest specialist schools.

Drury Specialist School will serve learners aged 5-21 with high and complex needs, providing specialist education and integrated support within a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Established to address growing demand for specialist provision across Auckland, the school offers a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to create an enduring legacy from the very beginning. The school has Ministry-approved establishment staffing, funding, and a projected roll of 107 learners.

Working alongside the Establishment Board, the successful applicant will lead the development of the school's vision, culture, systems, workforce, and community partnerships, ensuring the school is ready to open and thrive.

We are seeking an experienced educational leader who:

• Holds a current New Zealand practising certificate.
• Demonstrates strong senior leadership experience.
• Understands specialist education, inclusive practice, and interdisciplinary service delivery.
• Has experience supporting learners with diverse and complex needs.
• Can lead staffing, finance, property, compliance, and strategic development.
• Builds strong relationships with whānau, iwi, schools, and external agencies.
• Brings resilience, clarity, and the ability to lead through complexity and change.

This role will challenge you as a leader, and reward you through the learners and whānau at the heart of it. The full application pack is available on request, and sets out the role, the school, and the appointment process in detail. We welcome applications from leaders ready to make this school their own.

Drury Specialist School (Proposed opening date: 2028-02-08)

Physical address:
1 Rorotu Avenue, Karaka, Papakura