Principal

Due to the promotion of the current postholder to a senior executive position within the Trust’s central team, we are now recruiting for a Principal for Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood, Kent. This is a truly rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader to join 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.  

Mascalls Academy joined the Trust in September 2015 and is a large and high-performing non-selective secondary school in the Borough of Tonbridge and Malling. The academy has a pupil admission number of 240 and has over 200 students in its thriving sixth form. The academy is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme at KS3. A wide range of courses are offered in key stages 4 and 5. Mascalls consistently scores positive value added at GCSE and A Level and was last visited by Ofsted in November 2021 when inspectors confirmed that Mascalls remains a “Good” school with several strong features.

At Mascalls Academy, students’ conduct, commitment to learning and respect for one another and their environment is exemplary.  This is cultivated within a culture of celebrating success, celebrating the individual and explicitly developing individual character so that everyone can be the very best they can be regardless of background.

Working with an experienced and highly-engaged group of staff, our successful candidate will receive encouragement, support and guidance not only to develop this ambitious academy but also to develop their own career within the Trust.  You will already be an exceptional senior leader at a successful secondary school with real ambition to improve the life chances of the students at Mascalls. We will expect the Principal to further develop a positive culture and ethos where each child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way.  

We wish to hear from you if you really want to change 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;
• a passion for working in an urban, multicultural setting; and
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

What we can offer you:

• a competitive salary along with private healthcare and an opportunity to earn a performance bonus;
• an exciting LAT career path with opportunities for further progression in the future;
• security and support on your journey from close collaboration with a small central executive and a larger group of talented Principals to share best practice and innovation.

Application process: 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 will be keen to have a conversation about the role before making a formal application, you can arrange this by contacting Emma Johnson, Executive Assistant to the CEO.  Following your conversation with the CEO, candidates are welcome to visit the academy. Visits will be hosted by Will Monk, Principal or Debbie Biggenden, Academies Director.

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with the CEO about this role can arrange for a telephone call and subsequent visit to the academy. Those wishing to do so should also contact emma.johnson@latrust.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.  

Application closing date:     Thursday 6th October 2022, 10.00am

Selection activity date(s):    Thursday 13th October and Friday 14th October 2022

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Elene Redelinghuys (Recruitment Advisor) on elene.redelinghuys@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.