Principal

Lighthouse Education Trust is a completely unique Multi Academy Trust focussing on providing high quality, destination led learning for students with a diagnosis of autism.

We are excited to be able to commence the search for the team for our new school, Lighthouse Harrogate, due to open in the academic year 2026/27.

Lighthouse School Harrogate is a completely unique secondary school focussing on providing high quality, destination-led learning for students with a diagnosis of autism. We already operate a very successful school in Cookridge near Leeds since 2012. We are a happy and vibrant community, where young autistic people learn, flourish and thrive. We are planning for an overall cohort of 80 students with an initial intake of 24. Students study KS3, and a range of Level 1/2 and Level 3 qualifications, including BTECs and GCSEs.

We are looking to appoint a Principal for our Harrogate school to drive forward the successful opening and lead a successful team. The ideal candidate will have some level of leadership experience, either as an existing Principal, or a Deputy wanting to take the next step in their career. As a current leader you will combine this with existing SEND knowledge and a strong understanding of complex and diverse needs.

We welcome visits to our Leeds school where we can show you how we have established a successful model and give you the chance to meet staff who demonstrate the passion that ensures that we can make a difference to our students.

Visitors to our recent Open Day for Professionals shared the following feedback:

A pleasure to be invited into a fantastic environment for young people tothrive supported by staff who genuinely care about each student's future.

Calm and inclusive environment, where students were considered, hadsome autonomy and could be themselves

All roles will be Trust appointments and whilst based primarily in Harrogate may be required to work across other schools in the trust which could extend beyond Leeds in the future.