Principal
Stephenson Academy, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK14 6AX23 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Asap subject to relevant checks
Closing date
22 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
27 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Leadership 25 – 29 (£93,424 - £103,030)
Additional allowances
Leadership 25 – 29 (£93,424 - £103,030)
Principal job summary
This is an exciting time to join a unique Trust with a focus on improving outcomes for children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Stephenson MK Trust (SMKT), on behalf of Stephenson Academy, is seeking an inspiring, compassionate, and visionary Principal to lead our SEMH academy while collaborating across the Trust, including our Alternative Provision (AP) Academy. Candidates with experience in both SEMH and AP are particularly welcome.
As part of our small but dynamic Trust, you will have the opportunity to contribute across our academies and be an integral member of our wider Trust Senior Leadership Team (SLT). We are a strong, community-focused Trust, believing that collaboration allows us to achieve more for children. By sharing expertise across SMKT, we continually enhance the support and opportunities available to our students.
The Trust is deeply committed to inclusivity and to maximising every student’s potential. Stephenson Academy values its reputation as a welcoming and supportive environment, placing equal importance on pastoral care and personalised academic learning.
We are seeking a Principal who:
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to student progress.
Employs innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning.
Engages in reflective practice to consistently enhance outcomes for pupils.
Possesses ambition for, and dedication to, the most vulnerable young people.
Is confident in leading a SEMH setting and flexible in contributing to Trust-wide initiatives, including supporting the AP Academy where required.
This role ensures that all students within the Trust have access to outstanding leadership and the opportunity to develop their talents, equipping them to contribute positively to the world beyond our care. We are determined to appoint an exceptional candidate because all children deserve the very best leaders and teachers.
About Stephenson Academy
Stephenson Academy is a successful SEMH special school, which opened in 2012. It has a main site in Stantonbury, which caters for 11-16 year-olds and a primary department was introduced in September 2023 for Years 5 and 6 (ages 9-11), which increased our capacity to 117 students. We also have an associated independent sixth form provision for 16-19-year-olds within the Trust located at Manor Road.
We specialise in supporting students with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) who have a primary need of SEMH, many of whom also display challenging behaviours. Many students have additional needs, including speech, language and communication difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mental health challenges.
We serve Milton Keynes and the surrounding local authorities when places are available.
While this role primarily focuses on leading Stephenson Academy, the successful candidate may also be asked to work collaboratively across the Trust, supporting the Alternative Provision academy and contributing to high-quality leadership across both settings.
What We Offer
The opportunity to lead an exceptional school and work with experienced, successful executive leaders.
The chance to be part of a forward-thinking and growing Trust, offering wider future opportunities.
Extensive support to develop your leadership potential at an exciting time in our growth.
The experience of working within an inclusive, values-driven organisation alongside a skilled, dedicated, and hardworking team.
We warmly welcome visits to Stephenson Academy and look forward to receiving your application.
The Recruitment Process:
Indicative Timeline
Advert Closing Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Shortlisting: Monday 23 March 2026
Interview Dates: Thursday 16 April & Friday 17 April 2026
Further Information
If you would like to visit the school and/or require any further information please contact our HR Department either via email on recruitment@stephensonmktrust.org.uk or via telephone on 01908 889400 ext. 1438. The CEO would welcome a professional conversation with any interested candidates.
Stephenson MK Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and other pre-employment checks in line with statutory guidance, including KCSIE. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
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
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Stephenson Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 9 to 16
- School size
- 117 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 9 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Stephenson Academy website
Stephenson Academy is a successful 80 place special school, which opened in 2012. It has a main site, which caters for 11-16 year olds. We have an associated independent sixth form provision for 16-19 year olds.
As a specialist academy we cater for students who have Education and Health Care Plans with an identified primary need of Social Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH), many with associated challenging behaviour. Many of our students have additional special educational needs such as speech, language and communication difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mental health difficulties
School location
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