Highly Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Leigh Academies Trust is seeking to appoint an ambitious and visionary Principal for Leigh Academy Peninsula East. This is a rare opportunity to steer a flourishing IB World School at the heart of the vibrant Hoo Peninsula community. We are part of a highly successful, financially sound, and mature multi-academy trust that balances professional autonomy for effective leaders with robust central support and a culture of deep collaboration.

Our new Principal will be a visionary leader who sees the potential in every face in the corridor and believes that every child, regardless of their starting point, deserves a world-class start in life. If you’re a grounded, strategic leader who thrives on building real relationships and has the grit to keep raising the bar, we’d love to have you lead the next chapter of our story.

We wish to hear from you if you are:

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at primary 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.

What we can offer you:

• a highly 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.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Applying for this Opportunity

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 Molly Allen via email: molly.allen@latrust.org.uk. Visits will be hosted by Emma Elwin, Academies Director, or the current Principal. Please ensure you offer Molly 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 our Trust Academies Director, Emma Elwin, about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Molly Allen (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026 (12pm)

Shortlisting date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026 (PM)

Interview date: Tuesday 28th April 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information please contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor) on 01634 412 205 or amy.wenban@latrust.org.uk.

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about it on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.