Principal
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Croydon, CR0 9AZ |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Closing date: | 1 Nov 2026 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an experienced, ambitious and values-driven educational leader to become our next Principal. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape the future direction of the school, and make a lasting difference to the lives of learners with autism and complex needs. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with operational excellence, driving high standards across education, safeguarding, staff development, and school improvement while championing an inclusive culture where every learner can thrive.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership to drive outstanding outcomes for learners and continuous school improvement.
• Lead and develop a high-performing staff team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and professional growth.
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing, inclusion and SEND provision across the school.
• Oversee the effective management of resources, staffing and budgets to deliver sustainable success.
• Build strong relationships with families, governors, external agencies and Trust leaders to support positive outcomes for learners.
Key Requirements
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and substantial senior leadership experience within education.
• Proven experience of leading improvement and raising outcomes for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND legislation and inclusive educational practice.
• Demonstrable ability to lead, motivate and develop staff while maintaining high expectations and standards.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships.
What the school offers its staff
OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits:
• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.