Assistant Principal
Harris Academy Purley
Croydon
- £72,010 - £79,157 per year
- New
- Salary:
- Leadership Scale (Outer London) + Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Additional Harris Benefits
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September
- Apply by:
- 7 May 2026
Job overview
We are looking for an outstanding leader to join us as Assistant Principal, supporting the strategic and operational management, development and leadership of Harris Academy Purley, and ensuring the achievement of our ethos, aims and objectives.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.
WORKING WITH US
At Harris Academy Purley, you will join a dedicated team of teachers and staff supporting our excellent students. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow, inspire and develop, this may be the role for you. Working at Harris Academy Purley, you will make a real difference to the lives of young people and their families in South London who value the learning and school environment we offer. Our school is oversubscribed; we have families, from a number of boroughs, who choose us for the high standard of education we provide, and staff come from across London as well as Sussex and Surrey to come and work with us. You will be given ample opportunities to develop and progress your career, and all staff are encouraged to develop their interests and areas of expertise. Our professional development is tailored to ensure all staff are able to continue learning regardless of their role or stage of career.
To learn more about the culture and ethos of our academy, our impact within the community and what we can offer you, view our academy page via the “why work at” button.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
To create a true learning institution in the academy at all levels
To play a major role in formulating the aims, objectives and shared vision of the academy
To lead the development and maintenance of a high quality positive learning environment
To take full responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in your key area of responsibility
To ensure high quality teaching across the academy
To work with colleagues to ensure data is used effectively and consistently
To work with the SLT to lead the assessment and reporting programme
To support staff in making sure high quality intervention programmes are in place
To support colleagues and subject leaders in developing schemes of learning
With the SLT, to develop strategies to enhance teachers' ability to learn and to develop advanced teaching skills
To raise students' aspirations and achievement
To ensure the highest standards of achievement for all students
To ensure the entitlement of all students to have equal access to and participation in all aspects of the curriculum.
To ensure the efficient and effective provision of cross curricular skills, knowledge and understanding
To identify and monitor successful learning outcomes
To monitor, review and evaluate teaching and learning and classroom practice
To maintain an informed view of standards and of the quality of teaching across the academy
To challenge under-performance at all levels and throughout all departments
To establish, and maintain, the highest possible standards of behaviour, learning and attainment
To demonstrate and articulate high expectations and set aspirational targets
To act as a role model in the provision of high quality learning, teaching and assessment
To coordinate the activities of staff
To lead and manage staff in an appropriate manner
To assist in the implementation of effective procedures to support teachers who are underperforming
To maintain high morale amongst staff and set an example of professional standards and leadership
To contribute to the recruitment, training, deployment and professional development of staff
To promote and sustain effective management of the Academy environment
To provide information about the work and performance of staff
To chair meetings
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
QTS (or equivalent) and a good undergraduate degree
Extensive teaching experience
Outstanding teaching practice
Successful management experience as Head of Department or member of the SLT
Experience of writing department SEF
Experience of lesson observations and giving feedback
Experience of improvement planning
Experience of implementing a range of strategies to raise student achievement, with evidence of success
Contribution to impact on the quality of learning and teaching and curriculum
Experience of developing and sustaining positive relationships with students, parents, staff and the Governing Body to build consensus support and capacity
Proven track record of managing and implementing change in relation to teaching practices and standards
A track record of success in leadership and management
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers.
Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Senior Leader Development
With Harris, you will join a large network of likeminded senior leaders and have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are some of the best senior leaders in the country. Our senior leaders can benefit from tailored professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership which will enable you to develop your pedagogy, leadership skills and drive school improvement.
Supported by experienced mentors, you can access national professional qualifications and draw on expert knowledge from dedicated subject consultants who offer invaluable subject and curriculum insight.
Flexible Working
We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.
Benefits
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
Attached documents
About Harris Academy Purley
Harris Academy Purley is a co-educational 11-18 Academy for 1,100 students which opened in September 2009, with a £20 million new building opening in September 2012. Harris Purley offers specialisms in Enterprise and Sport using its extensive playing fields. The academy was judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2011 and student progress is in the top 10% nationally.
The Academy is a happy, hard-working and highly ambitious community in which students and staff treat one another with care and respect. It combines traditional values of discipline and good-manners with contemporary best practice in teaching and technology.
Academy Ethos
Harris Academy Purley is a school where students are given the opportunity and encouragement to achieve their personal best. By the time they leave the academy, we want our young people to be happy and educated with the desire and drive to succeed. This means:
• Each student gets the individual care and attention they need to thrive and achieve their personal best.
• Teachers bring learning alive and class sizes are kept as small as possible.
• Students participate in a broad range of after-school activities.
• All students contribute to Academy life by taking on positions of responsibility. This may, for example, be through directing an Academy play, captaining a sports team or playing in a band.
• Everyone works together to maintain a happy, safe and orderly environment. We instil mutual respect between students and staff and have zero tolerance of bullying in any form.
• We promote high expectations and set standards of excellence. Staying on for Sixth Form is encouraged so that it becomes the norm, not the exception. Our Sixth Form is being run in conjunction with the Harris Sixth Form.
Academy Specialisms
Enterprise and Sport
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