Job Description
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Principal - Columbus School and College
Salary:L26-L32, £78,025-£90,379 negotiable for the right candidate dependent on experience plus relocation package
Start date: September 2022
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
NOR: 261
Age range: 3-19
This is an exciting opportunity for a school leader who is passionate about special educational needs and committed to making a real difference in young people's lives.
We are looking for a Principal who will bring an ambitious, inclusive vision for the school, ensuring high-quality education and support for all students.
You will have an expert understanding of support and provision for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties. You will understand that pupils with special educational needs require exceptional support but are also able to achieve well. You will also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
You will harness all that is great about Columbus School and College but also develop the areas that need further improvement. You will be ready to take on not just the role of principal, but to contribute to trust wide strategy, through our network leadership groups.
You will establish a culture that promotes excellence, equity and high expectations for all pupils. You will have the experience, expertise and commitment to secure high performance across all aspects of provision. You will be ready to take on not just the role of principal, but to contribute to trust wide strategy, through our network leadership groups.
Our fantastic staff, who are highly skilled and dedicated, support pupils to access our curriculum in order to develop and secure knowledge and skills for life and promote overall development. We work closely and collaboratively with families and other professionals which supports our pupils to reach their full potential and prepare them for life beyond. The school caters for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties and has 261 pupils on roll.
Columbus School and College is part of a national network of schools at AET, brought together by the belief that each and every child has an entitlement to an excellent education in every classroom, every day. An excellent education transforms lives and every pupil who attends one of our schools should be given the support, care and opportunity they need to flourish. We leverage our scale to support all our teachers, leaders and young people to be the best they can be.
You will be joining one of the largest and most inclusive trusts in the country. We have a flourishing group of special schools within our network, supported by our National Director of SEND. This headship is an opportunity to take on the leadership of a school with high levels of potential, with the support of a network of expert peers and within a trust that really values and celebrates their special school provision.
We would welcome applications from either existing principals or vice principals looking for their first headship and have strong induction and development support in place.
If you are excited by this role and believe you have the values, vision, and expertise to lead the academy to sustainable excellence, then we want to hear from you.
To arrange a school visit or to find out more, call Recruitment on 0203 947 5689 or email: recruitment@academiesenterprisetrust.org
In line with our safeguarding practices we are unable to accept CV's. Apply today!
This offers a unique opportunity to join our organisation at a critical and exciting time.
Closing date: Friday 20 May 2022
Academies Enterprise Trust embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Co-headship, job share, part time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
Information about the School
Lift Columbus has a rich history that reflects the development of specialist education in Chelmsford. Originally two separate schools – Woodlands School, supporting children aged 3–19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex learning difficulties (CLD), and Hayward School, supporting children aged 4–16 with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) and autism – the schools federated in 2005 to form the Chelmsford New Model Special School. In September 2009, they formally amalgamated to become Columbus School and College, now proudly part of Lift Schools.
Today, Lift Columbus provides education for children and young people aged 3–19, across two campuses. We cater for a wide spectrum of additional needs, including PMLD, severe learning difficulties (SLD), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), and autism. Our provision is designed to support learners at every stage of their journey, from the early years through to preparation for adulthood.
We are committed to providing a personalised and ambitious curriculum, tailored to individual needs. This includes a strong focus on communication, independence, social interaction, and life skills, alongside academic learning. Our dedicated team of teachers, support staff and therapists work in close partnership with families and external agencies to ensure that every child can flourish.
Lift Columbus also benefits from excellent facilities, including:
Specialist classrooms and therapy spaces designed for sensory and physical needs.
Vocational learning opportunities to prepare young people for life beyond school.
A sixth form college provision, enabling students to continue their education in a supportive environment and develop the skills needed for adulthood, further study, or employment pathways
Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.
Our mission:
- We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
- With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
- We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.