Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal)

We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Leigh Academy Tonbridge; a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success.

The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards, preferably in a non-selective setting. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Tonbridge even further whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal (Head of College) and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development.

We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are:

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at secondary level;
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff;
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school;
• able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance;
• approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success;
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

Click here for the full Recruitment Pack.

For our successful candidate, being a member of staff at Leigh Academy Tonbridge and the wider Trust means you’ll receive access to a great range of employment benefits from day one. Click here to view the current benefits package, and be mindful that the list is always growing. 

Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.

On the basis that interested candidates may be keen to visit the academy before making a formal application, you can arrange this by contacting Becky Green (PA to Principal). Visits will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Becky a range of dates when you are available in your initial email to ensure we can coordinate a visit that works for both you and the academy. 

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with the SLT about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact becky.green@latonbridge.org.uk in the first instance. When ready to apply, suitable and interested candidates are invited to complete an online application detailing why they are suitable for the role.

Closing date for applications:          Wednesday 17th April 2024

Shortlisting date:                     Thursday 18th April 2024

Interviews and assessment activities:   Wednesday 24th April 2024

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information please contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor) on amy.wenban@latrust.org.uk.

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.