Principal
Diverse Academies
Nottinghamshire
- £75,700 - £87,700 per year
- New
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- ASAP
- Apply by:
- 1 December 2024
Job overview
Why join Horizons Academy as our new Principal
Horizons Academy are looking for a highly motivated and dedicated Principal to join our talented and supportive team. Horizons Academy is a new, state of the art special free school due to open in January 2026 on the former Ravensdale School site in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
The academy will accommodate 160 pupils aged 7 to 19 with class sizes of approximately 8 students. Horizons Academy will deliver a specialist learning environment for children and young people aged 7 to 19 with social, emotional and mental health needs, along with autism spectrum conditions.
Our vision for the new school is rooted in our firm belief that every child, regardless of individual need or ability, deserves an education that fosters inclusivity, meaningful engagement, and academic excellence. In meeting the wide-ranging specific needs of all learners, our curriculum will be aspirational, including a broad range of experiences but structured in such a way that it is meaningful and can be tailored to the needs of every child. Ultimately, our vision is that every child and young person who learns within the walls of Horizons Academy will leave prepared for adulthood and can go on to be whoever they want to be and to achieve more than they could have ever imagined.
The successful candidate
We are looking for someone with extensive experience in supporting children and young people with complex needs in a specialist setting. Knowledge of safeguarding pupils with SEMH needs is essential along with creating a secure and nurturing environment so that children attend every day possible. You will work alongside the Executive Principal to ensure that every child experiences a positive and enriching educational experience and are well prepared and equipped for their future.
We are seeking someone who has a background in these areas and is empathetic, professional and warm; someone who can be flexible and embrace a challenge.
Ideally, the successful applicant will have:
- QTS
- Relevant further qualification or NPQH
- A thorough knowledge and understanding of current curriculum developments and how children learn
- A proven track record of raising standards in the core curriculum
- Experience and proven success in working with children and young adults with SEMH needs and autistic spectrum conditions
As our academy is currently under construction, it is not possible to offer visits to the school. We expect the construction to be completed in autumn 2025, ready to welcome the first students in January 2026. However, informal discussions with Lucy Spacey, Executive Principal, are both welcomed and positively encouraged – lspacey@diverse-ac.org.uk
Our employee benefits
At Diverse Academies, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone can grow, progress and achieve a fulfilling career. We offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits, challenging and interesting work, and opportunities to achieve your potential.
In return you will benefit from:
- Enrolment into the Teacher Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of at least 23.68%
- Excellent Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities covering technical, leadership and coaching skills via the trust’s Diverse Association for Professional Learning
- Employee Assistance Programme
- GP helpline
- Health and wellbeing advice and support
- Eyecare vouchers
- Salary sacrifice schemes – electric car scheme, cycle to work, home and electronics
- Lifestyle savings - discounts and offers on gym memberships, holidays, days out, shopping, restaurants, etc
- Health cash plan (personal or family) – where you pay monthly and can claim money back on private treatments such as dental, optical and therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, osteopathy etc)
- Childcare – breakfast and after school provision
- Take a look at our rewards and benefits online
Applications
Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should we identify an appropriate candidate.
Closing date: Sunday 1st December 2024
Interview date: Week commencing 9th December 2024
Start date: April 2025
About Diverse Academies Trust
Diverse Academies is a multi-academy trust with a vision to inspire, to raise aspirations and to create brighter tomorrows. Across primary, secondary and special settings, we share a common mission to nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower children and young people to go beyond their aspirations. Together, we believe we can make a difference in our diverse communities, and in the lives of those who learn with us and work with us.
We empower. We respect. We care.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our care. We expect everybody volunteering for the organisation to share this commitment. Any offer will be subject to safer recruitment checks and clearances. View our safeguarding and child protection policy.
Attached documents
About Diverse Academies
- Diverse Academies
- Old Hall Drive, Retford
- Nottinghamshire
- DN22 7EA
- United Kingdom
Founded in September 2011, Diverse Academies is a multi-academy trust consisting of 14 academies – six secondary, six primary and two special – across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Our vision
To inspire. To raise aspirations. To create brighter tomorrows.
Our mission
We nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower children and young people to go beyond their aspirations. Together, we make a difference in our diverse communities, and in the lives of those who learn with us and work with us.
Our values
We empower
We respect
We care
Diversity is core to our Trust
Across our primary, secondary and special academies, we believe that all of our children and young people should be given the very best chance in life to progress – whether into further or higher education, employment or a more independent adulthood.
Our shared, common purpose ensures our strategy clearly connects us. We actively encourage and support each of our academies to develop further, recognising that high levels of success are not sustained by adopting a ‘one size fits all’ model nor by working in isolation.
Collectively, we share and co-develop best practice for the benefit of all our academies. Whatever the size and shape of the academy, the accomplishment and development of each individual student is at the heart of what we do. We believe that this is best achieved through maintaining and developing each academy’s own individual characteristics, framed within a consistent set of Trust-wide values and through a vision and mission which is common to all.
We put our children and young people first
We have high aspirations and expectations for all those who attend our academies. Beyond the classroom we provide opportunities to nurture existing talents, as well as opportunities to try new things – enabling our young people to develop a range of skills. We adopt firm and consistent behaviour policies, ensuring our students learn in calm, disciplined environments. We value our students’ opinions, and engage parents and carers in creating the very best outcomes for their children.
How we work together
Our staff are part of a family of academies. Our team of educational, business and operational experts provide support and guidance, and challenge accepted professional thinking. We empower our colleagues to enable our students and pupils to meet the highest possible standards, and we recognise that all our staff have a role in improving student outcomes. We have an established framework of core principles and practice to which all our academies subscribe, which are developed and agreed on in collaboration. Our colleagues access the very best professional development and therefore maintain high levels of quality teaching and support.
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