Executive Principal

Sunfield School

Executive Principal

Start date: April 2024 or later in discussion with the appointed candidate

Salary: Up to £83,041 – this may be increased for exceptional candidates. Relocation allowance available. 

Sunfield School is a highly regarded independent specialist school in Stourbridge, West Midlands offering day and residential placements for over 50 children and young people between the ages of 6-19 with a variety of complex needs and barriers to learning and development. Their needs require high levels of support during the school day and continue in the residential provision and surrounding community. The residential placements range from 39 to 52 weeks and the school offers respite placements all year round. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the school, in the newly created role of Executive Principal, and to build on its vision and successes by leading and working collaboratively with the School Leaders, Head of Care, Land and Therapy Teams and be part of the wider Ruskin Mill Trust.

Sunfield School has been part of Ruskin Mill Trust since 2017 and is set within over 58 acres of beautiful farmland. There is a wide diversity of ecosystems within this, including woodlands, wetlands and grassland and the school cares for a variety of livestock and has a shop onsite. The school has increased numbers significantly in recent years and this is exciting new opportunity has been created to ensure it continues to provide the highest quality of care and education for its children and young people. 

Ruskin Mill Trust has four schools, five 16-19 colleges and three adult provisions. The school and Trust curriculum is based around a method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE). Learning takes place through practical activities and exciting and meaningful outdoor learning environments, utilising practical land and craft activities to support the development of work and life skills in children and young people.

Your personal development will also be a priority, and in addition to your work at the school, you will have a key role to play in the future development of the Trust. There is a well embedded research training culture, and you will have the opportunity to participate in study to Master’s degree level, and in time up to PhD, delivered through the Trust’s purpose-built training facility, the Field Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Headteacher/Principal to work with the committed and talented team at Sunfield School and to lead its future success. Previous experience of a residential care setting is not essential, and you do not need to have worked with PSTE but must support, embrace, articulate and work with the school and Trust’s objectives, vision, values, purpose and methodology. You will be skilled at combining operational leadership with strategic planning and delivery and have the passion and vision to build a highly aspirational team whose core purpose is to improve the education and lives of the students so that they have the potential to shape their own future.

For a confidential discussion about the role, to arrange a visit or to make an application, please contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership Appointments. T: 07736 791138 E:

martin.blair@hays.com. 

Please do not use any online “APPLY” options.

Further details can also be found at www.hays.co.uk/vacancies/sunfield-school

Closing date – 8am, Monday 22nd January

Interviews – 30th and 31st January

The school and the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check