Principal

Job Types: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: Leadership Scale L17–L20

Location: Ingfield Manor School, Five Oaks, West Sussex

Job Scope:

We are looking to recruit an experienced Principal for Ingfield Manor School, a specialist education setting within a well-established care and education provider. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing multi-site educational provision, delivering strategic leadership while maintaining the highest standards of education, safeguarding, and operational excellence.

As Principal, you will provide leadership across multiple educational provisions, ensuring each service maintains its unique identity while working collaboratively to achieve shared strategic objectives. You will oversee the school's operational performance, financial management, staffing, safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory compliance, while driving continuous improvement and supporting future growth.

Working closely with the Regional Divisional Director, Governors, parents, commissioners, and multidisciplinary teams, you will develop strong partnerships, promote outstanding educational outcomes, and contribute to the long-term strategic development of the campus. You will also play a key role in supporting occupancy, developing new services, and ensuring the provision remains a first choice for students, families, and local authorities.

This role requires an inspirational leader with extensive experience in specialist education, strong commercial awareness, and a proven ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams through change while delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

Do you have?

• Proven leadership experience within specialist education or SEND settings, ideally across multiple educational provisions.
• A recognised management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent minimum) and relevant educational qualifications (NPQH or a Master's in Education would be advantageous).
• Extensive knowledge of OFSTED requirements, safeguarding, SEND legislation, and specialist education frameworks.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, and driving organisational improvement.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience in strategic planning, business development, bids, tenders, or service growth.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with parents, governors, commissioners, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• A proven track record of developing high-performing teams, managing change, and creating a positive culture focused on continuous improvement.

Benefits:

• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Supportive leadership structure within a growing education and care organisation.
• Opportunity to lead an established specialist school with excellent facilities.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• Ongoing leadership training and development.
• Competitive Leadership Scale salary.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people with additional needs.

At Olive Recruit, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity. Our core values—Integrity, Impact, Inclusivity, and Innovation—guide our efforts to create an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to excel.

As a recruitment agency, we prioritise sourcing and placing diverse candidates with our clients, recognising that diverse perspectives are essential for business success and inclusive work environments.

We take great pride in celebrating the unique backgrounds and experiences of our team members and candidates. By embracing these different perspectives, we not only create a great place to work but also better serve our clients. Your individuality is what makes our team strong.

Join us in championing our values and building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to share this commitment and participate fully in safeguarding training and processes.

The successful applicant will undergo a free enhanced disclosure from the disclosure barring service & other compliance checks required.