Principal
Addington Valley Academy, Croydon, CR0 9AZ23 days remaining to apply
Start date details
to be confirmed
Closing date
1 November 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
9 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- L24-L31 £94,322 - £111,202 (Outer London Teachers Leadership Group)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an experienced, ambitious and values-driven educational leader to become our next Principal. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape the future direction of the school, and make a lasting difference to the lives of learners with autism and complex needs. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with operational excellence, driving high standards across education, safeguarding, staff development, and school improvement while championing an inclusive culture where every learner can thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership to drive outstanding outcomes for learners and continuous school improvement.
- Lead and develop a high-performing staff team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and professional growth.
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing, inclusion and SEND provision across the school.
- Oversee the effective management of resources, staffing and budgets to deliver sustainable success.
- Build strong relationships with families, governors, external agencies and Trust leaders to support positive outcomes for learners.
Key Requirements
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and substantial senior leadership experience within education.
- Proven experience of leading improvement and raising outcomes for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND legislation and inclusive educational practice.
- Demonstrable ability to lead, motivate and develop staff while maintaining high expectations and standards.
- Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships.
What the school offers its staff
OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits:
• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Addington Valley Academy
- Organisation type
- Free School, ages 2 to 19
- Size
- 140 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- MollyKing@ohcat.org
Orchard Hill College (the College) and Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (the Trust) together form Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT), a family of specialist education providers for students and students from nursery to further education across London, Surrey and Sussex. As an outstanding provider and Academy sponsor, Orchard Hill College has a strong track record for making a positive impact within the local communities it serves.
Addington Valley Academy is special Free School in Croydon for children and young people with autism and learning difficulties. The school opened in 2020 and provides 150 places for children and young people aged 2-19 who have autism and social communication, cognitive, sensory and social, emotional, and behavioural needs.
The new purpose designed school is equipped to meet the needs of students and includes sensory gardens, indoor sensory rooms, soft-play area, and a large cookery room along with other facilities to encourage students to learn skills to live independently. Students access specialist support enabling them to learn and achieve in a nurturing and aspirational environment.
Addington Valley Academy is a rewarding and inspirational place to work and the whole school community comes together to create the best possible outcomes for its students.
To find out more about Addington Valley Academy please visit www.addingtonvalley.org
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