Principal
Marsden Heights Community College
Lancashire
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive salary plus benefits package
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- 25 November 2024
Job overview
Marsden Heights Community College is a secondary academy serving the local community of Brierfield and Nelson, in Burnley, Lancashire. It is a popular and vibrant 11–16 secondary school at the heart of its local community, with over 1,050 pupils on roll. Leaders have created an inclusive and caring school environment, with a strong focus on personal development and Education with Character. Students are respectful and behave well; lessons are calm and free from disruption.
With the forthcoming retirement of the Principal at the end of this academic year, we are now looking for a new leader to show the same dedication and commitment, who can take the school forward in its improvement journey. The new leader will be inheriting a school with strong foundations, a broad and ambitious curriculum, a willing and engaged staffing body, and a huge amount of potential. The values of the school are hard work, trust and fairness and this is evident within the classroom and beyond - with good behaviour, respectful relationships and pupils enjoying their learning. The next Principal needs to be committed to continuing to build this positive and inclusive culture whilst securing further improvements in academic standards.
The incoming Principal will have the commitment, determination and empathy to bring pupils, parents, staff and the wider community with them, as they strive to move the schools into its next phase of improvement, with the vision to make the Academy exceptional. They will be committed to the highest standards and expectations for all pupils, including and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
United Learning is a big group of schools – with over 75,000 pupils and more than 10,000 staff – so we have the capacity to support you educationally and operationally. At the same time, we are values led and base all that we do on good relationships, so you will be joining a big family. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will be supported both personally and professionally, benefitting from the strength of a national Group who will support your development and that of your staff and school.
We are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusion. We are currently working hard to improve representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at headship level and to raise our proportion of women leaders to match their representation in our wider workforce. Whoever you are, if you have a strong track record of improving young people’s education and a drive to do more, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
We fully recommend that you take the opportunity to make an informal visit prior to making your application to see the school for yourself. Please contact Tracy Laverack at our recruitment partner Academicis. Tracy can be contacted by email tlaverack@academicis.co.uk or by phone on 07554 118 997 / 01223 907979.
All applications should be submitted via our recruitment partner Academicis. Further details can be found via www.academicis.co.uk/apply/
Attached documents
About Marsden Heights Community College
- Marsden Heights Community College
- Edge End Lane, Nelson
- Lancashire
- BB9 0PR
- United Kingdom
Marsden Heights Community College is a 'Good' school built on strong foundations, a broad and ambitious curriculum, and a dedicated, engaged staff.
Based in Brierfield and Nelson, Burnley, Marsden Heights is a popular and vibrant 11-16 secondary school at the heart of its local community, with over 1,050 pupils on roll.
Leaders have created an inclusive and caring school environment, with a strong focus on personal development and Education with Character. Students are respectful and behave well; lessons are calm and free from disruption.
In terms of school performance, Marsden Heights’ GCSE results and pupil success are on an upward trajectory and our grades were the best in Pendle in both 2023 and 2024.
According to The Sunday Times Happiest Schools report, published in March 2023, Marsden Heights is one of the top five happiest schools in East Lancashire. Happiness and wellbeing is important to us to ensure pupils are engaged and inspired academically and personally, and 95% of Marsden Heights parents agree that their children are happy at our school (based on parent view analysis between 2020 and 2025.)
Reasons to work at Marsden Heights Community College
- Positive and Welcoming Work Environment – The school is known for its friendly, happy atmosphere where staff and students feel valued and supported.
- Strong School Culture and Values – Marsden Heights fosters a collaborative and respectful culture with high expectations, promoting hard work, trust, and fairness.
- Education with Character – The school offers enriching experiences and strong pastoral support to develop well-rounded individuals.
- High Academic Standards and Ambition – Marsden Heights is committed to delivering a broad and ambitious curriculum, ensuring students reach their full potential.
- Supportive and Professional Development Opportunities – Staff benefit from extensive CPD, professional qualifications, mentoring, and networking with other United Learning schools.
- Competitive Pay and Benefits – Teachers earn on average 5% above national pay scales, plus perks such as medical treatment contributions, salary sacrifice schemes, and a health cash plan.
- Excellent Facilities – The school has state-of-the-art facilities, including interactive whiteboards, science labs, an auditorium, and a multipurpose gym.
- Staff Wellbeing Focus – we actively support staff wellbeing, provide extra INSET days for planning and offer a personal day each year.
- A Growing and Successful School – Since joining United Learning in 2020, the school has improved rapidly, is Ofsted ‘Good’ and achieves the best GCSE results in Pendle.
- Pathways for Career Progression – The school invests in leadership potential and offers training through United Teaching, supporting future educational leaders.
Find out more about Careers at Marsden Heights: Marsden Heights Community College > Work With Us
Staff Benefits
Our pledge, to all our academy teachers, is that by working for us you will benefit from:
More pay…
- We pay on average 5% above national scales - the best rates of pay in the sector
- Cash towards medical treatment
- Generous staff discount scheme
More time...
- Three extra INSET days for planning
- At least one personal day a year
And more support.
- Great training for your career
- Exceptional curriculum resources
- Expert subject advice
- Support for your wellbeing
Find out more here: Rewards and benefits | more pay | more time | more support
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