The Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT) is recruiting an Executive Principal – Specialist Provisions, a role that will shape the strategic direction, assure the quality, and extend the reach of our specialist and inclusive practice across the Trust.
The Education Village Academy Trust is a mixed-phase, multi-academy trust serving children and young people across Darlington and from many neighbouring local authority areas. Our specialist provisions form an essential part of our work and reflect our commitment to meeting a broad range of needs through strong relationships, high expectations and thoughtful partnership working. As demand for specialist and inclusive provision continues to increase, so does the importance of strategic leadership that strengthens practice, builds capacity and enables sustainable growth.
Due to the planned retirement of the current postholder after many years of dedicated service, we are seeking a new Executive Principal – Specialist Provisions. This is a key appointment that will provide direction and oversight across our specialist schools, support the professional development of leaders, and contribute to trust-wide policy, strategy and improvement. The role also carries responsibilities for external partnerships, local authority engagement, and work with regional and national bodies to help shape the future of SEND delivery.
Working closely with the CEO and other executive colleagues, the postholder will help lead organisational development, support the commissioning and planning of specialist places, and ensure our schools continue to offer high-quality, impactful and well-governed provision.
This role offers significant influence across the Trust, the borough and the wider region, ensuring children and young people with SEND receive the education, care and opportunities they need to flourish.
Who we are
The Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT) is a multi-academy trust comprising mainstream and specialist schools serving children and young people aged 2-19 years. We were established to bring together schools with different strengths and contexts under a shared, inclusive vision: to enable every learner to achieve their full potential through high-quality teaching, strong relationships and a culture of mutual support and impactful collaboration.
Our specialist provisions play a central role in meeting the full range of needs of children and young people with EHCPs. Our schools cater for all four broad areas of SEND: Communication & Interaction; Cognition & Learning; Social, Emotional & Mental Health; and Sensory & Physical Needs. Significant numbers of learners present with multiple and complex needs. EVAT’s model enables collaboration between phases and settings, helping leaders and staff to share approaches, solve problems together, and develop consistent, effective practice across the Trust.
We work closely with families, Darlington Borough Council (DBC), neighbouring authorities, health partners, and a wide range of other external agencies. Demand for specialist places continues to grow, and our trust plays an important role in planning future capacity and shaping provision across the local area. Our specialist provisions are represented through places on key local decision-making fora, such as the Darlington Education Strategy Group and the Schools Forum. We also support mainstream schools with advice, guidance and partnership work that strengthens inclusive practice and reduces unnecessary escalation into specialist placements, both informally and through a formal outreach agreement with DBC. Colleagues across EVAT are playing leading roles in championing and exemplifying the principles of The Darlington Inclusion Charter.
Our Trust Development and Growth (TDG) team provides strategic leadership across organisational functions, including education, business services, development and workforce. As part of this team, the Executive Principal – Specialist Provisions contributes to trust-wide planning and projects, supports trustees with timely, accurate information and strategic analysis, and helps ensure that EVAT’s specialist provisions operate efficiently, safely and in line with at least national standards.
EVAT continues to develop its approach to SEND, inclusion, curriculum, workforce development and partnership working. The Executive Principal will play a significant part in shaping the next stage of this journey.
About the role
The Executive Principal – Specialist Provisions is a key executive leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, performance and development of EVAT’s specialist schools. The postholder will have strategic oversight of our specialist provisions to ensure that schools deliver high-quality, holistic education and care, that organisational goals and objectives are met and that Principals meet the national Headteachers’ Standards.
A central element of the role is to strengthen leadership capacity across the specialist estate. This includes line managing Principals, supporting succession planning, and ensuring that leaders have access to continuing professional development relevant to their context, including, where appropriate, mentoring and coaching. The postholder will ensure there is accurate academy self-evaluation, impactful school improvement planning and ongoing curriculum development, drawing on trust-wide expertise and external evidence as appropriate.
As a member of the Trust Development and Growth (TDG) Team, i.e., EVAT’s Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Principal will contribute to the trust-wide strategy, policy development, and project delivery. This includes work on growth, new provision, the creation of a SEND hub-and-spoke model, free school development, and cross-trust initiatives that enhance both specialist and mainstream practice. The role includes responsibilities for workforce planning and development, trust-wide working groups and the implementation of agreed strategic priorities. Strategic governance is a key aspect of the post. Members of the TDG team have delegated responsibilities individually and as a team, and are held to account by the CEO and directly by the Board for the Trust’s performance.
The Executive Principal will maintain strong relationships with local authorities, Ofsted, the Department for Education and other partners. They will lead strategic discussions with commissioners, support place planning, and ensure effective admissions and commissioning processes across specialist settings. They will also represent the Trust in negotiations relating to SEND provision at local and regional levels.
The postholder will provide advice, challenge and guidance to mainstream schools across EVAT to strengthen inclusive practice and enhance outcomes for pupils with SEND. This includes sharing best practice, supporting staff development and ensuring that specialist knowledge informs mainstream provision wherever appropriate.
The role requires a thorough understanding of curriculum, pedagogy, safeguarding, funding and regulatory requirements for specialist settings. It also requires a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, strong communication skills, and experience in managing operational, financial and educational priorities at scale.
Finally, the Executive Principal will act as an ambassador for EVAT and promote the Trust’s work in SEND and inclusion at local, regional and national levels. They will support the development of specialist policies, lead innovation in practice, and help ensure that EVAT’s provisions remain responsive, effective and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve. They will also live and breathe the Trust’s values and ensure close alignment on the work of the leaders and staff of our specialist provisions.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in education, including successful leadership as a headteacher or equivalent, and credible knowledge of SEND practice, curriculum pathways, assessment, transitions and commissioning. You will have a detailed understanding of the demands of specialist provision and the importance of high-quality teaching, safe practice, and well-organised leadership.
You will ensure that Principals enable ESC members to fulfil their roles effectively by providing timely, accurate and valid information, along with strategic analysis and recommendations. Experience contributing to multi-academy trust leadership and/or working closely with executive teams would be beneficial. You will be able to craft and sustain a positive culture of excellence and collaboration that is fully aligned with EVAT’s values. You should be comfortable leading policy development, managing change and ensuring that operational activity aligns with broader organisational objectives.
The role requires strong people leadership skills. You should have experience of mentoring, managing and developing senior colleagues and building strong professional relationships, supporting leaders to improve their schools, and creating conditions that enable effective practice across diverse settings.
We are looking for someone who can work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes commissioners, local authorities, health partners, Ofsted, DfE colleagues and other providers. You will be able to represent the Trust confidently in strategic discussions and negotiations.
You will need to demonstrate strong knowledge of safeguarding, compliance and the regulatory framework governing specialist settings. You will also bring an informed understanding of the pressures facing specialist provision nationally and the opportunities for trusts to strengthen practice, expand capacity and influence systems.
Above all, we are seeking a leader who is committed to continuously improving provision and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and who can make a significant contribution to the continued development of EVAT as a trust that delivers high-quality, inclusive education.
For further information about the role and to register your interest, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners: