PRINCIPAL Harington
Start date: flexible, but no later than Jan 2022.
Salary: £65,000 - £85,000 depending on experience
An exciting and unusual opportunity has arisen to become the new Principal of Harington.
Based at a stunning site in Highgate, North London, just 10 minutes walk from Archway tube, we are an educational charity of 40 years standing, teaching academic, employability and life skills to young people aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and disabilities. Our focus is on future employment. Our students usually stay with us for two years, largely funded by the ESFA. Each student has an individual curriculum with work experience as an integral part. Some of our students then progress to our retail and horticulture businesses as a stepping stone, with the aim of entering permanent employment outside Harington. We are OFSTED regulated – Good at our last inspection in 2017, and are keen to improve on this.
We also have two charity shops and a horticultural business with a combined turnover of around £350,000. These are an integral part of our student progression and the managers of these will report to you.
Harington provides a safe, caring environment for our learners, many of whom see us as a home from home. We have an exceptional staff team who believe passionately in what we do. You can see a short film about our work here.
This is a very exciting time to be joining us as we have recently opened a second training facility and are are looking for a dynamic and inspiring leader to work to the highest standards and build on the improvements we have made over the last year and work to expand our intake over the next few years.
You will have the educational skills background essential for the requirements of the role. You will be a qualified teacher with substantial management experience, but you are ambitious and want to expand your skillset and take your career on a more challenging path. You could be a middle or senior leader in FE or schools and will be able to demonstrate first class leadership and management skills. Perhaps you have community experience. Very importantly, you will easily demonstrate the ability to motivate and manage staff, and understand and manage budgets. You will have the SEND and safeguarding experience essential for the role. As Principal you will be the DSL, and extra training will be provided should this be necessary.
You will also be keen to develop your business acumen and skills and front major fundraising bids. You will be able to engage with a stakeholder base of wealthy donors, educational trusts and the local, extremely supportive, community. You are personable and driven, and will set an example to all staff and students. You will be able to manage an educational curriculum and two small businesses, with a total staff of around 50, and be able to delegate and lead by example. This is a hands-on role and you must be both a team player and a confident, approachable and visible leader.
You will be supported by a proactive and highly experienced board of trustees who will give help and guidance but not micromanage.
This is an extraordinary and unusual opportunity for someone who wants to challenge themselves and develop their career in an exciting way. The trustees are very open to the sort of individual who can apply. You do not need to tick every box. Please convince us in your application that you have the drive and personal skills we are seeking, that you understand the challenges and are fully supportive of our aims.
Harington is a wonderful and extremely well-supported charity doing a terrific and necessary job. There are very few establishments that do what we do, as well as we do, but we now want to expand our offer and improve outcomes for our students. Please tell us how you can do this. Your CV will give us the facts, your covering letter should give us your vision.
For more details and a full person spec please see here. In the first instance please apply with a CV and covering letter to:
Rachel Allison
Chair of Trustees
rachel.allison@harington.org.uk
Closing date: 8am, Monday 2nd August
Harington values equality and diversity and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practices including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.