Executive Principal

Overview

You will lead Dove House Academy, a large, Outstanding special school, on its next development stage within Solent Academies Trust. As Executive Principal, you shape the vision, culture and provision across two sites and contribute to Trust-wide strategic improvements. You will drive exceptional outcomes for pupils with complex needs, including autism, while building and empowering high-performing teams. This role combines strategic influence with hands-on leadership in a multi-site, mission-driven setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead Dove House across two sites and contribute to Trust strategy
• Shape vision, culture and provision to deliver specialist education
• Motivate, develop and support staff while maintaining rigorous accountability
• Influence policy and practice at a Trust level and scale improvements
• Demonstrate deep understanding of strategies to support pupils with complex needs including autism
• Collaborate with cross-site leadership and external stakeholders to drive Trust-wide developments
• Represent the school within the Trust and broader education community
• Support and develop inclusive, relational culture in line with the Relational Culture Charter
• Oversee safeguarding, governance, and educational standards at site level
• Lead improvement projects and monitor outcomes to secure outstanding provision

Key requirements

• Proven track record of securing excellent pupil outcomes
• Experience leading a large, complex school or multi-site setting
• Strong communication and motivational leadership skills
• Ability to balance supportive development with rigorous challenge and accountability
• Deep understanding of education strategies for pupils with complex needs including autism
• Ability to shape policy and practice at a Trust-wide level

• strategic thinking
• effective communication
• staff development
• strategic leadership
• policy development
• trust-wide implementation

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