Principal - Great Barr Campus

Full Job Description

Principal
Care First: Further Education Campuses – Great Barr Campus is primary base – however you will be required to work across Tamworth Campus and Walsall Campus
Salary: £80,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Eligibility: UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

This is not just a Headship. It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity to create something truly special.

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Principal to lead a multi campus specialist further education college; supporting young people with SEMH, Autism, and associated needs. The college operates across multiple campuses, located in Great Barr, Walsall, and Tamworth.

 From day one, you will shape the culture, values, and strategic direction of a college designed around understanding, inclusion, and ambition. Your leadership will ensure that every learner receives a personalised, high-quality educational experience that empowers them to achieve their potential and prepares them for adulthood.

This is your chance to build a setting where young people who may have struggled elsewhere finally feel safe, understood and empowered to succeed.

As Principal, you will have the rare opportunity to:

• Design and develop a specialist college from the ground up
• Embed therapeutic, trauma-informed practice at the heart of learning
• Create a culture where wellbeing, safety and progress go hand in hand
• Lead, inspire and grow a high-calibre multidisciplinary team
• Build a college where students belong, thrive and achieve their potential
• Make a lasting impact that will be felt for generations

If you’re driven by purpose and excited by the idea of building something meaningful, this role offers true professional legacy.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership and a clear, inspiring vision for a specialist SEMH and Autism setting
• Create a nurturing, ambitious and trauma-informed environment where behaviour is understood as communication
• Lead on safeguarding, quality, compliance and operational excellence from day one
• Recruit, develop and inspire a passionate, skilled staff team
• Work in close partnership with therapists and specialists to deliver highly personalised pathways
• Build trusted relationships with parents, carers and local authorities

About You

We’re seeking a leader who brings heart, resilience and expertise in equal measure:

• An experienced Principal or Deputy Principal within SEN, SEMH, specialist provision or further education
• A deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and inclusive education
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted and/or ISA frameworks for specialist settings
• Proven ability in budget management, resource planning and leading change
• A passionate advocate for high expectations and aspirational outcomes for every student
• Qualified teacher (QTS/QTLS) with significant SEN leadership experience

Why Join Care First?

Care First provides person-centred education and day provision for young adults with learning difficulties, autism, mental health needs and complex needs. Our tailored programmes help learners develop life skills, build independence and thrive within their communities.

We are proud to be part of Options Autism, which for over 19 years has delivered specialist care and education for children, young people and adults with autism and complex needs. Together, we are part of Outcomes First Group, pioneers of innovative, evidence-based approaches that create meaningful, measurable outcomes.

In 2025, Outcomes First Group was officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running — something we’re incredibly proud of.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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