Salary: L21-27
Successful shortlisted candidates will be informed by 6th December for interviews on the 11th/12th December.
About us
Purple Oaks Academy is a special free school in Kingsthorpe, Northampton and is part of the Greenwood Academies Trust. The academy opened in September 2017 and moved into its purpose-built building in January 2018. Since opening the academy has grown from 36 students to the 118 currently on roll, establishing a positive reputation for the quality of provision for autistic students.
The academy is a welcoming and friendly school that delivers a rich and engaging curriculum to students from Reception to Year 13. Ofsted rated the academy as ‘Good’ in March 2022 in its inaugural inspection. The National Autistic Society accredited the academy with the Advanced Award for Specialist Provision in July 2022. The NAS Committee concluded that the school has a considerable positive impact on the quality of life and progress of autistic young people.
The academy is set in large grounds with ample playground and field spaces for students to use. The building caters well for all students, providing quiet spaces for group work, a library, hall, and dedicated rooms for Food Technology and Art. The TEACCH approach is well established across the academy and there is an established structure and routine through well organised classrooms, excellent use of whole class visual timetables, and individual schedules and checklists. Students engage in range of sensory based learning activities and have access to dedicated spaces for Sensory Circuits, soft play and a sensory room. Classrooms are maintained as calm, structured environments providing students with consistency and familiarity to aid their learning which in turn means that students are well behaved and engage in learning opportunities. In return, staff are ambitious to build on their continuous commitment to raise outcomes for all and welcome professional development opportunities.
Our current Principal is retiring at the end of the academic year and we are looking for an experienced Principal or Deputy Principal to strengthen and lead the committed team of staff at Purple Oaks Academy through the next phase of their journey, ensuring the delivery of an engaging, broad and balanced curriculum which continues to evolve to reflect the changing and complex needs of our students. The academy enjoys a positive relationship with parents and key stakeholders and so working effectively with the local community is essential.
You will have specific support from the GAT network of experts, working to a Special Academy Improvement, Support and Quality Assurance framework and will have access to a range of informal support and professional development.
Are you a leader who:
- Has relevant and up to date knowledge of teaching and learning strategies for students with complex needs;
- Is excited about working with colleagues to refine an aspirational and broad curriculum;
- Leads staff effectively to deliver high quality learning experiences for all students;
- Has strong organisational skills and is relentlessness in driving educational improvement and has high expectations for all students;
- Has significant experience of leading and developing others;
- Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Has previously led a team of people through change and improvement;
- Has the skill and ability to engage parents and the community in the life of the school.
We are hoping for a start date of April 2024, depending on the successful candidate’s current position, so that we can ensure a smooth transition from the current Principal.
Visits to the academy are encouraged and are available on Monday 20th or 27th November in the afternoon. If you would like further information, to arrange a visit, or an informal phone / Teams call please contact the Education Director, Sarah Martin (sarah.martin@greenwoodacademies.org).
In Return:
You can be assured that you will be joining a successful Multi Academy Trust that has a great track record in helping children to succeed no matter what their background. The Trust is dedicated to valuing and developing the workforce whether that be through ensuring a fair workload or offering access to bespoke CPD from the Learning Alliance to enhance professional growth.
We believe in looking after the people who make a huge difference to our children, their families and the communities we serve. That’s why we give everyone who joins a Perkbox account – with 24/7 access to perks and discounts, plus curated wellbeing tools to look after your physical and mental health. It’s part of our commitment to look after you.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Hundreds of global and local perks, available online 24/7
- Shopping discounts from the biggest brands, all year round
- Save money on everything from the supermarket shop to summer holidays
- A free Employee Assistance Programme from Health Assured
If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, medical and reference checks. All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education”.
The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.