Principal

From the advert

Purple Oaks Academy is seeking an innovative and experienced leader to become our next Principal and lead our highly regarded specialist provision into its next phase of development.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Principal, Head of Academy or Deputy Principal who is passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people with autism and severe learning difficulties. You will provide strategic leadership for a thriving, oversubscribed academy with a reputation for excellence, ensuring every student receives the highest quality education and support to achieve their full potential.

Our ambitious curriculum is underpinned by three key drivers: communication, independence and emotional regulation, ensuring that every pupil develops the skills, confidence and resilience needed for adulthood. As Principal, you will lead the continued development of this highly personalised curriculum, supporting progress from Early Years through to Post-16 and beyond.

You will build upon the academy's established strengths that include our culture of high expectations, collaboration and continuous improvement; and strong partnerships with families, external agencies and the wider community, enabling our pupils to thrive within and beyond the academy.

This is an exciting time to join Purple Oaks Academy. As part of Greenwood Academies Trust, you will work alongside talented colleagues who share a deep commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable young people. We are equally committed to your professional growth and will provide extensive support, challenge and development opportunities.

Visits to the academy and informal discussions about the role are encouraged and can be arranged by contacting Sarah Martin, Education Director-Special Academies via sarah.martin@greenwoodacademies.org. Visits will be available on Tuesday 20th October, Wednesday 4

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November, Tuesday 10th November. Interviews will be held on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th November 2026.

About Us

Purple Oaks Academy is a highly successful special free school in Kingsthorpe, Northampton, and part of the Greenwood Academies Trust. The academy provides specialist education for pupils aged 3 to 18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Learning Difficulties and currently serves 143 students. Demand for places significantly exceeds capacity, reflecting the academy's positive reputation.

Set within extensive grounds, the academy benefits from excellent facilities including specialist teaching spaces, sensory provision, outdoor learning environments, a library, food technology and art rooms, and dedicated areas to support emotional regulation and therapeutic learning. Our well-established use of the TEACCH approach provides students with consistent routines, structured learning environments and visual supports that enable them to feel secure, regulate effectively and engage successfully in learning.

Staff at Purple Oaks Academy are united by a shared belief that every student can succeed. Through expertise, creativity and unwavering commitment, they create calm, supportive and aspirational learning environments where students are encouraged to develop communication skills, independence, confidence and a genuine love of learning.

Joining Purple Oaks Academy means becoming part of a dedicated and forward-thinking team that is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every student and making a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with complex needs.

In return we have multiple benefits for our talented and highly valued people:

Alongside nationally agreed terms and conditions, we offer a generous benefits package. Here's a selection of what's on offer to our people in recognition of the huge difference they make to our children, their families and the communities we serve.

• Access to Benefit Hub - the world’s largest discount marketplace
• A free Wellbeing Gateway platform and mobile app
• A free, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme - confidential & compassionate support when you need it
• Lease a brand‑new or pre‑loved hybrid vehicle through our Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Train & qualify as a Mental Health First Aider. We aim to have a qualified Mental Health First Aider in each academy
• Supporting your professional development through CPD, Apprenticeships, Upskilling and Professional Review
• Generous public sector pension schemes for everyone
• Eye tests & Spectacles Discount
• Family friendly policies and time off for dependants
• Dedicated ECT support programme
• Access to savings in childcare costs
• Generous annual leave allocation
• Automatic pay progression
• Free parking on all sites
• Principles on workload & directed time for teaching staff
• Professional Supervision for Academy Leaders

If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.

The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.