Principal - The Link School (Across all sites)

Salary: Outer London Pay Scale (L27 – L33, £98,280 - £113,227)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: The Link School – Primary, 138 Croydon Road, Beddington CR0 4PG,

The Link School – Secondary, 82-86 Croydon Road, Beddington, CR0 4PD,

The Link School – Sixth Form, 82-86 Croydon Road, Beddington, CR0 4PD,

The Link School – Satellite, Mollison Drive, Wallington, SM6 9JN,

The Link School – Cottage, 3 Carew Manor Cottages, Church Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7NH

The Link School is a special school situated in the London Borough of Sutton providing education for up to 160 students aged 4 to 18 who have speech, language and communication difficulties. The school has 4 different sites, a Primary site, Secondary site and two smaller Satellite sites for learners with demand avoidant learning behaviour.

The school provides a warm, caring, inclusive environment where students receive personalised learning opportunities in small class sizes. This nurturing approach increases students’ self-confidence and encourages them to flourish academically and creatively.

The Link School is an inspirational and rewarding place to work where dedicated staff are focused on delivering the school’s vision – “digging deep to aim high” to enable learners to leave with developed wellbeing, independence, communication and achievement in preparation for life after school. To find out more about us visit www.thelinkschool.co.uk

We are seeking an exceptional Principal to lead our school and inspire both staff and students across all sites. Working alongside a dedicated Deputy Principal and a team of three Heads of School, you will oversee the day-to-day running, long-term development, and performance of all sites, ensuring that every student thrives in a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.

Responsibilities:

-Provide strategic leadership and direction across The Link School

-Foster a cohesive school culture that encourages collaboration, inclusion, and respect

-Lead and inspire a talented team of teachers and support staff, supporting their professional development and well-being

-Drive school improvement and ensure the school maintains its high standards of academic performance while supporting students’ social and emotional growth

-Build strong relationships with students, staff, parents, governors, and the wider community

Requirements:

- Qualified Teacher Status

- Degree or equivalent

-Be a person-centred practitioner

-Have a commitment to all SEN pathways, including younger pre-verbal learners who require a sensory interactive curriculum, older learners following an adapted National Curriculum

and the willingness to find out about and support school leaders managing the pathway for children and young people with pathological demand avoidance

-Be able to lead a large team of staff who work across different sites

-Be outward looking and prepared to lead the school in its vision to be a flagship provision to support the needs of SEN children both locally and nationally

The Trust:

The Link School is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

Rewards & Benefits:

-Comprehensive training and development

-In-service teacher training delivered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University

-Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks

-Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)

-Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders

-Scope for career progression across nine college centres, 14 academy schools and Central Teams

-Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes in addition to bank and public holidays and a Christmas closure period

-As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into a pension scheme, the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) both of which have life cover and financial protection for your family

-Enhanced parental leave schemes

-Cycle to work scheme

-Season ticket loans

-Employee referral scheme

-Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness

-Home electronics scheme

 To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact Beverley Davidson - bdavidson@orchardhill.ac.uk. 

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and

knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role. 

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing date: 28th November 2024

Interview date: Thursday 5th and/or 6th December 2024

Orchard Hill College and 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.