Principal: Lead a New SEND School (Remote & Flexible)

A rare opportunity to open and lead a brand‑new all‑through SEND school, shaping vision, culture and provision from the ground up, supported by a leading specialist trust and driven by ambition for children and young people with complex needs. The new school will be located in the London Borough of Havering, on Balgores Lane in Gidea Park, within easy reach of the Elizabeth line. This highly accessible location sits within an established residential community and reflects the Trust’s commitment to working closely with local families, professionals and partners to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND across the borough.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to actively share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and online searches, in line with Safer Recruitment guidance and the need to maintain a safe culture. It is an offence to apply for a role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity.

Our safeguarding culture is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.

Astrum Multi Academy Trust is seeking an inspirational and experienced Principal to lead a brand new all through SLD school, currently being built and due to open in September 2027. This is a unique, career defining opportunity to create a compelling vision and ethos, design an inclusive curriculum, and build a high performing team that enables children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to thrive.

You will have the rare chance to influence every aspect of the school’s development, from culture and values to staffing, systems and partnerships, while being fully supported by the expertise, infrastructure and security of a highly respected specialist multi academy trust.

The Role: As Principal, you will be accountable to the CEO and Astrum Multi Academy Trust Board for the successful establishment, leadership and performance of this new all through SLD school. You will provide strategic, professional and moral leadership, ensuring outstanding outcomes for pupils while operating within Astrum’s trust wide frameworks, values and statutory responsibilities. This role combines the creativity and autonomy of opening a new school with the stability, governance and support of an established SEND trust.

During the first two terms, the successful candidate will work closely alongside our CEO, Quality of Education Lead and experienced Principals across current Astrum academies. This time will be dedicated to carefully preparing for the opening of their own school, supported through a rich programme of induction, mentoring and collaboration, and benefiting from deep professional expertise every step of the journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and School Development: Create, articulate and embed a shared vision and ethos, aligned to Astrum values and shaped collaboratively with pupils, families, staff and the local Havering community. Lead the strategic planning, establishment and phased growth of a brand new all through SEND provision, ensuring readiness for opening and long term sustainability. Work closely with the CEO, trust leaders and local governors to deliver trust strategy, statutory duties and school improvement priorities.
• Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: Design and implement a high quality personalised SEND curriculum across all phases, informed by current research and best practice. Champion excellence in teaching and learning, ensuring robust assessment, tracking and intervention systems that secure strong progress for all pupils. Promote innovation in SEND pedagogy, communication, independence and wellbeing, including well planned transitions throughout the school and into post‑16 destinations.
• Leadership of People and Culture: Recruit, develop and retain a skilled, inclusive and values driven staff team, fostering high expectations, professional learning and staff wellbeing. Implement effective performance management, coaching and succession planning within Astrum frameworks. Model integrity, professionalism and aspiration, establishing a positive, safe and collaborative school culture from day one.
• Safeguarding, Ethos and Community: Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, pupil welfare and risk management. Build strong, trusting relationships with families and work closely with health, social care and other partners to deliver holistic support. Position the school at the heart of the Havering community, promoting inclusion, dignity, equality and British values.
• Operational Leadership: Oversee effective operational management in partnership with Astrum’s central teams for finance, operations and HR, ensuring value for money and compliance. Maximise the impact of trust provided specialist therapy services, ensuring integrated and coherent provision for pupils. Establish robust systems, policies and processes that enable the school to operate efficiently, safely and sustainably.

What Makes This Opportunity Different: A once in a career chance to open and shape a brand new SEND school from the ground up. The autonomy to create culture, curriculum and community — without being alone. The backing of a specialist, experienced SEND trust with strong governance and infrastructure. The opportunity to work collaboratively with families, professionals and the Havering community to co-produce provision that truly meets local needs. The chance to leave a lasting legacy for children and young people with SEND.

Why Join Astrum Multi Academy Trust? Astrum is a specialist SEND trust with a strong reputation and track record of providing high quality education and care. Anchored in belonging, strengthened through collaboration, grounded in compassion, motivated by ambition and driven by innovation, Astrum enables children and young people with complex needs to thrive.

As Principal, you will benefit from: Expert central support in finance, HR and operations, allowing you to focus on educational leadership. Access to Specialist therapy services and professional expertise embedded within the trust. A strong peer network of experienced SEND leaders and practitioners. A culture of collaboration, professional learning and shared responsibility. The stability, governance and shared values of an established and trusted organisation, alongside the autonomy to shape your own school.

The Ideal Candidate: You will be an experienced senior leader with significant SEND leadership experience, with a strong understanding of complex and diverse needs. Have a proven track record of building positive culture, improving outcomes and developing others. Be passionate about inclusive education and ambitious for pupils with complex needs. Be a strategic thinker and excellent communicator with strong people leadership and change management skills, confident in working with families, local authorities, health professionals and the wider community. Collaborative, reflective and values driven. Be energised and excited by the challenge and opportunity to design and lead a school from its inception.

Why Join Us: This role offers the chance to leave a lasting legacy for children, families and the Havering community. If you are an ambitious SEND leader inspired by the opportunity to build something exceptional from the start, we would love to hear from you.

We welcome and encourage prospective applicants to have an informal discussion with our CEO and/or visit one of our sites ahead of making an application.

Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme: Generous Pension Schemes, Family-friendly working policies, Extensive support and development opportunities, Refer a friend scheme, Free onsite parking, Free tea and coffee, Great location close to TfL Elizabeth and Central Lines, and more…

Astrum values diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We celebrate and embrace unique individuality, background and heritage. We are a ‘Disability Confident Employer’ and all our application forms hide your personal information so we can focus solely on your experience, skills and qualities. We believe in fostering a work environment that supports work-life balance. We are open to flexible working arrangements, including remote work, flexible hours, and part-time opportunities. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the advert closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.