Principal

Job Description: Principal

Falcons Learning (Independent Special School), Goole, DN14

Full time | Salary: TBC

Main Purpose of the Role:

The Principal will provide dynamic and strategic leadership for Falcons Learning, an

independent special school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Principal will ensure the highest standards of education, care, and safeguarding, and

champion an inclusive, therapeutic, and personalised approach to learning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and overall management of the school, fostering a

culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.

• Lead and model best practice in SEND pedagogy, personalised curriculum design,

and therapeutic/attachment-informed approaches.

• Ensure robust behaviour management strategies, assessment processes, and

effective oversight of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) provision.

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, ensuring compliance with

the latest statutory guidance and independent school regulations.

• Oversee staff recruitment, induction, performance management, and ongoing

professional development, supporting a culture of wellbeing and growth.

• Build and maintain strong, positive partnerships with parents/carers, local

authorities, and external agencies to support pupils’ outcomes and wellbeing.

• Manage school budgets, resources, and premises to ensure sustainability and

compliance with independent school standards and inspection frameworks.

• Promote inclusion, diversity, and the highest standards of pupil achievement,

behaviour, and wellbeing.

• Drive ongoing school improvement, innovation, and curriculum development in line

with school vision and trust priorities.

• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to the governing body/trust

and regulatory authorities.

• Positively seek and engage in business opportunities

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• Qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent

• Relevant leadership/management qualification (e.g., NPQH, NPQSL, or equivalent)

• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to SEND and school

leadership

Experience

• Proven experience in senior leadership within a special or mainstream school, with a

track record of strategic improvement

• Substantial experience working with children and young people with SEND, including

complex needs

• Experience in curriculum innovation, behaviour management, and leading

safeguarding and child protection

• Experience in staff recruitment, development, and performance management

• Experience of budget management and compliance with independent school

regulations

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of SEND pedagogy, personalised curriculum design, and

therapeutic/attachment-informed practices

• Excellent understanding of EHCP processes, assessment, and statutory SEND

requirements

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation and best

practice

• Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire staff teams

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills

• Ability to build effective relationships with pupils, staff, parents, local authorities,

and external agencies

• Competence in strategic planning, monitoring, and reporting

• Understanding of independent school regulatory and inspection frameworks

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to promoting inclusion, high standards, and pupil wellbeing

• High expectations for all pupils and staff

• Visionary, resilient, and solution-focused

• Demonstrates integrity, fairness, and confidentiality

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staff wellbeing