Principal
The Ruth Gorse Academy
Leeds
- Quick apply
- Expired
- Salary:
- L37 to L43 (£120,524 - £138,265)
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- 17 March 2025
Job overview
Required for September 2025.
Principal
L37 to L43 (£120,524 - £138,265)
A rare opportunity to lead a school that genuinely challenges the stubborn link between poverty and underachievement.
The GORSE Academies Trust is renowned for its work in transforming the life chances of children and young people from some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country and, firmly at the centre of this success, is The Ruth Gorse Academy.
The Ruth Gorse Academy has established a reputation for consistently being one of the top performing schools nationally. The provisional Progress 8 score for 2024 is +0.99 for all learners and +0.68 for disadvantaged students with over 80% of pupils being entered for the EBacc in 2024. In 2023 the Progress 8 for all learners was +0.92 and for disadvantaged students was +0.61. Ofsted re-confirmed The Ruth Gorse Academy as an Outstanding provider in October 2023 with the opening paragraph of the report aptly capturing life at the academy: “At The Ruth Gorse Academy, there are no barriers to pupils’ success. This includes pupils who are disadvantaged. Pupils are encouraged to be ambitious and confident. The school has set extremely high academic expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils meet these expectations with pride. This results in exceptionally strong academic outcomes.” As the report goes on to capture, life is not all about academic outcomes at The Ruth Gorse Academy. The school has a rich and vibrant culture where hundreds of young people each week are involved in a vast array of enrichment activities, including as part of GORSE’s BIG 3: rowing, karate and volleyball. Indeed, like the trust, The Ruth Gorse Academy is named after Ruth Gorse who was an inspiration to us all. Ruth tragically lost her life to cancer, but she led The Morley Academy’s PE department with flair and passion, ensuring that all children flourished, but especially those who were from lives characterised by privation. If you visit The Ruth Gorse Academy you will see the building layout reflects this passion with a wonderful open atrium and a state-of-the-art sports facility located prominently on the first floor.
We are exceptionally proud of all that has been achieved at The Ruth Gorse Academy. From its early Free School Days where there was only Year 7 to a decade on, so many fantastic things have been achieved, including being recognised nationally by NASEN for the academy’s work to support students with Special Educational Needs. We are seeking an outstanding and inspirational leader to take The Ruth Gorse Academy through the next chapter of its journey.
If you do decide to apply for this role, you will need to be a leader who embraces a culture of true inclusivity which ensures that every child and every professional has the right to succeed at a high level. You will also genuinely value the importance of partnership work and be able to display your support for our values which are built upon diligence, integrity, rectitude and kindness. You will have the vision and determination to build upon the portfolio of achievements that have already been achieved at The Ruth Gorse Academy and a strong track record of unwavering dedication to excellence; you will not only further develop the learning experience for every child in our school – you will have a continuing and profound impact on our whole community.
The successful candidate will enjoy a rich network of support and will have the opportunity to secure further progression, if desired, within our nationally recognised trust.
If you would like to arrange a visit, or to discuss the role, please contact Sir John Townsley, Chief Executive Officer or Leanne Griffiths, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in the first instance via Christine Watson at christine.watson@tgat.org.uk.
For further information about our academy please visit our website at The Ruth Gorse Academy.
How to Apply:
If you’re as enthusiastic about this role as we are, a Job Description, Person specification and application form are available to download from the GORSE Academies Trust website www.tgat.org.uk/jobs, by email to christine.watson@tgat.org.uk, or by telephone on 0113 487 8888 (extension 4).
If you submit an electronic application, we will not require a hard copy. CVs are not accepted.
Closing date for applications: Monday 17 March 2025 (8.30am)
Applications to be returned to: Christine Watson, PA to Chief Executive Officer christine.watson@tgat.org.uk
Proposed interview date: Friday 21 March 2025
We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.
Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply for this position.
Attached documents
About The Ruth Gorse Academy
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- The Ruth Gorse Academy
- Black Bull Street, Leeds
- West Yorkshire
- LS10 1HW
- United Kingdom
About The Ruth Gorse Academy
The Ruth Gorse Academy moved into a new £23 million premises in September 2016, with exceptional sports facilities, science laboratories and a suite for pupils who have special educational needs.
As part of the nationally renowned GORSE Academies Trust led by Sir John Townsley and under the leadership of the trust’s Deputy CEO, Leanne Griffiths, The Ruth Gorse Academy also benefits from a rich partnership network enjoyed by students and staff alike. Together, the staff and students create a vibrant, engaging school where students thrive. At The Ruth Gorse Academy we endeavour to spark a flame of inspiration in each and every student, whatever their interest or ambition, and do all we can to support them to become the person they want to be.
Values and vision
The school’s motto, “Dare to achieve beyond what you are today”, intends to emphasise the Ruth Gorse Academy’s focus on exceptionalism in its teaching and facilities.
The Gorse Academies Trust considers as its philosophy that all students, regardless of background, can excel when given the right mix of outstanding teaching and rigorous discipline. The Trust also emphasises its focus on improving under-performing schools as well as establishing new ones.
Standards and high expectations are very important to us and we are extremely proud of the many achievements of students and staff at the academy. We aim to excite young people about their learning and to celebrate their successes. Our staff seek to inspire through excellent teaching and learning promoting exceptional rates of progress for all students, regardless of background. Our academy is underpinned by our core values of high expectations, high aspirations and a personalised approach. We consider these to be integral to our students’ success and wellbeing.
We aim to provide the highest quality of pastoral care and academic standards, helping to develop in our students a keen sense of pride in themselves, their academy and the wider community. We recognise the crucial role that parents/carers have in this respect and so strive to work in strong partnership with them throughout their children’s time with us. Our supportive approach enables everyone to develop the skills and knowledge required to be responsible and considerate individuals suited to the demands of our ever-changing multicultural society. There is extensive monitoring of students’ progress and regular contact with parents. We place a high emphasis on positive behaviour which ensures the academy is a happy and safe place within which to learn.
Awards & Recognitions
The Ruth Gorse Academy is an Outstanding provider (Ofsted, October 2023), delivering high quality education for each and every student. The performance of our students in their GCSE examinations demonstrate that we have the expertise to allow all students to fulfil their potential and achieve their dreams.
At the academy we prepare young people for an ever-changing world that values self-confident, well-educated and enterprising individuals. Our expertise in this area was recognised through our accreditation as a World Class School in November 2018. To ensure students are prepared for their futures we provide an exceptional education relevant to the 21st Century that emphasises traditional standards of uniform, discipline and respect. The World Class Quality School Mark is a charity concerned with developing the skills, competencies and characteristics young people need to thrive in an ever-changing global economy. The Ruth Gorse Academy was accredited with this prestigious accolade following a rigorous process that required our students to demonstrate their ability to be excellent learners dedicated to life-long learning; exceptional leaders and organisers; consistently outperform students from similar contexts and be active participants in their school, local or relevant communities.
Principal
Mrs S Mir
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