Principal

Grafham Grange School is a special school for pupils aged 10 to 16. All the students have Education, Health and Care Plans with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) as their primary identified need, though the majority of students have additional special educational needs such as autistic spectrum conditions; speech, language and communication difficulties; ADHD; opposition defiance; medical conditions and attachment disorders.

It is an exciting time to join our school as we continue to increase the opportunities for our students and develop the curriculum to ensure students are achieving to their full potential. To find out more about the School please visit https://grafhamgrangeschool.org/ 

Grafham Grange School is part of an established family of specialist academies that make up Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, which is currently comprised of 15 academies across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. The Trust was established in 2013 by Orchard Hill College and together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about The Trust please visit https://www.ohcat.org/. 

You will need to:

• be an ambitious, proven leader either at Deputy or Principal level and have an excellent track record of successfully implementing school improvement and impactful change; 
• be a highly capable leader, with a clear sense of vision, strategic thinking and purpose;
• be an exceptional classroom practitioner, with expertise in SEND and specifically SEMH and ASD;
• have recent and relevant experience of highly effective leadership and a strong track record in raising standards;
• have a full understanding of processes involving children in care, child protection and safeguarding and be committed to working in partnership;
• be collegiate, responsive, highly approachable and have the ability to inspire colleagues, students and their families.
• be fully committed to developing effective independence for students beyond school

We can offer:

• the opportunity to develop professionally and personally within a ‘family’ of specialist providers;
• opportunities to engage with peers in internal professional networks
• embedded support from the shared services team of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust 
• a supportive Executive Team who are highly committed and dedicated to success
• a supportive, proactive and organised governing body that is dedicated to driving up standards and offering a good level of challenge
• a nurturing and challenging environment
• a competitive salary and pension scheme

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Beverley Davidson via email bdavidson@orchardhill.ac.uk to arrange a time to speak with Laurie Cornwell, Executive Principal / Deputy CEO.  

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. 

If you have any queries, please contact jobs@orchardhill.ac.uk. 

Please note that CV applications will not be considered.

Applications deadline:  15th January 2022

Interviews on:  20th and 21st January 2022 

Grafham Grange School and Orchard Hill and College Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.