Principal

We are looking for an exceptional leader who shares our vision and is fully committed to excellence in all aspects of curriculum, teaching and learning and pastoral care for the benefit of all our students and their families.

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a coeducational secondary school located in the Parish of Sandymoor, Runcorn, Cheshire, England. Established as Sandymoor School, a free school, in September 2012, we moved to our new permanent home in 2014. Based in the heart of Runcorn, our vibrant and happy 11-16 secondary comprehensive academy is deeply rooted in the community.

At Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, our students are a fantastic group of young people, supported by a wonderful team of staff who are dedicated to ensuring continuous improvement in a positive “can do” culture. This dynamic creates an academy that is a pleasure to work and learn in. As our students proudly say, "We are a family."

Being a smaller school allows us to know our students inside-out and always put them at the heart of our decisions. We work exceptionally hard to provide a student-centred, personalised, and innovative learning environment that prepares our students with the character and leadership skills to lead happy, healthy, and successful futures.

Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is a leading, not-for-profit, multi-academy trust which has been sponsoring primary and secondary academies across the country since 2009. Our vision is to provide pupils with access to the highest academic, social and practical skills required to achieve their full potential.

When you join us, you’ll discover that OAT is a trust which cares about its people and has developed a range of opportunities and additional programmes from which you will benefit.  One of the key advantages of being part of our family is the extensive support system we provide. We believe in investing in our leaders, and as such, you can expect robust support from our experienced teams.

We also value the need for refreshment and re-energisation and offer a range of services that are designed to support your health and wellbeing. From private health insurance for you and your family, a counselling service and legal helplines, car benefit and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes, fitness and wellbeing support, to gym and retail discounts and more, we strive to ensure your happiness and health in your role. Additionally, our academies have the freedom to offer support tailored to their local preferences, which may vary slightly from one location to another.

We recognise the importance of OAT being a flexible workplace and are determined to be creative and to develop our approach further – as a senior leader, you will have a role in helping us achieve this.

It is important to us that our new principal is a caring individual who is approachable and kind and takes an interest in every student but also someone who has high expectations of what we can achieve and is proud to serve our community. We would like to meet you if you are someone who would be dedicated to our school and making it the best for us.

More information about this post and the role of senior leaders with the trust is available in the accompanying information pack. We would also encourage you to contact Helena Brothwell, education director, for an informal discussion about the role.  Please contact Helena directly by emailing Helena.brothwell@ormistonacademies.co.uk  

Applicants can also arrange a tour of the academy by contacting the school secretary Caroline Thompson, either by emailing thompsonc@sandymooroa.co.uk or call 01928 571217.

Closing date for applications is 9am Thursday 19th September 2024.  Interviews will be held on 24th and 25th September 2024, shortlisted candidates will be notified on Friday 20th September.

Please apply via our trust vacancies page here: https://ormistonacademiestrust.co.uk/work-for-us/vacancies/

Ormiston Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Ormiston Academies Trust embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 

All successful appointments will be subject to suitability checks in accordance with KCSIE, including identity, Right to Work, qualifications, online searches, prohibition check, two references and enhanced DBS check including Children’s Barred List.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, which provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974