Assistant Principal

We are looking for a highly motivated, inspiring and proactive Assistant Principal to join our Senior Leadership Team in ensuring continued pastoral excellence, high academic standards and outstanding progress for all students. Candidates should have the ability to be a role model to staff and students, build teams, and empower others, and are likely to be existing Assistant Principals or experienced Middle Leaders with either an academic or pastoral leadership background. This is a great opportunity to learn and develop and will be a springboard to further leadership roles.

As a member of SLT at Harris Westminster Sixth Form, you will join a dedicated and dynamic team of leaders, teachers and staff in supporting our fantastic students. To learn more about the role and the school, you are encouraged to contact the school for an informal visit or to arrange a phone call with Claire Scott, Head of School.

Research shows that some applicants are put off if they don't meet all criteria, particularly women and people from a BAME background. We encourage and welcome any applicant who meets the majority of our criteria to apply.

About Us

Harris Westminster combines the energy of brilliant young people from across London's diverse neighbourhoods, the strength of Westminster School in teaching academically able students, and the Harris Federation's experience and expertise in running outstanding maintained sector schools. It is over-subscribed, academically selective, has 35% of students from a disadvantaged background, and has incredible diversity in its student cohort with no ethnic group exceeding 20%. 65% of HWSF students go on to study at Russell Group universities and we have one of the largest Oxbridge cohorts of any school (state or private). 38 students from the 2022 cohort gained places. We are looking for an outstanding individual to join and support this exciting, scholarly, caring and vibrant community.

Academy Ethos

Ambition. Perseverance. Legacy. Kindness. Scholarship.

Harris Westminster students expect great things of themselves; they aim high and meet their targets, gaining places on the most competitive university course and apprenticeships, and from those courses into elite careers. They work hard to reach their ambitions and learn that setbacks are reasons to review strategy and try again rather than give up. They understand that they are part of a community where we look after each other and support each other to overcome hardships and to thrive. They aim to make their mark on the world for the long term and learn that they can have a positive and lasting impact. Students from different backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles work together and listen to each other to understand more deeply how these differences affect our experiences, to overcome prejudices and create a more equal society. During their time at the school they develop a love of learning and acquire the habits of enquiry, knowledge acquisition, and scholarship.

Main Areas of Responsibility

As Assistant Principal, you will work as part of the Senior Leadership Team to uphold high expectations of teaching and learning and pastoral care and to equip both staff and students to meet them. At Harris Westminster Sixth Form (HWSF), we believe “learning is amazing” and this is the heart of our school ethos.

You will work closely with leaders across the school to ensure that systems and procedures are in place to ensure that each student achieves the very best possible outcomes. You will take the strategic lead for several priority areas across the school, reporting to the Head of School. You will coordinate the work of key teams, both curriculum and pastoral, and ensure that the school responds collaboratively and proactively to all matters, engaging with a wide range of staff to ensure a school culture that is nurturing, rigorous, inspiring and has high expectations at its core.

This role will lead and be accountable for specific areas of responsibility (see specific responsibilities) as best suits your experience, qualifications and potential.

To help you gain experience in all aspects of school leadership, the exact role and specific responsibilities of the Assistant Principal will be agreed annually and are likely to change regularly.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Extensive teaching experience, including significant sixth form teaching
• Experience of securing excellent outcomes at A-Level
• Successful management experience as a middle leader (either academic or pastoral) or currently member of SLT
• Experience of observing teaching and giving feedback
• Experience of improvement planning and securing improvement
• Experience of implementing a range of strategies to raise student achievement and engagement, with evidence of success
• Positive impact on the quality of learning and teaching and curriculum
• Proven track record of managing and implementing change in relation to teaching practices and standards

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Rewards & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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 we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.