Principal

Malcolm Arnold Preparatory School is now recruiting for its next Principal. We are looking for our newly appointed Principal to start with us September 2023 or earlier if possible.

At Malcolm Arnold Preparatory School, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all children will be challenged in their thinking to achieve the best of their abilities and are enthusiastic to become lifelong learners.

We strive to provide all our children with a world class education. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich, which inspires our children and promotes excellent outcomes for all.

As part of the David Ross Education Trust, we offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including a wealth of music, art and sporting experiences. These experiences encourage our children to be confident, well-rounded and motivated.

Our new Principal will bring a compelling blend of professional ability, focus and ambition to our school. With an inclusive, visible leadership style, and a determination to deliver a world-class education, you’ll engage teachers, children, parents and carers alike in your vision for their learning.

We’re particularly interested in your approach to raising and extending overall achievement for students and building a culture of sustained and focused collaboration that produces exceptional outcomes.

About the role

• Being accountable for ensuring the educational success of the Academy on its journey towards excellence.
• Ensuring that a high quality, inclusive educational experience is available for all children that attend the academy.
• Monitoring, evaluation and reviewing classroom practice, celebrating and promoting excellence, challenging under-performance at all levels.
• Ensuring that systems are in place to promote the personal and continuous professional development of all staff.
• Keeping abreast of educational development and best management practice in order to introduce appropriate innovation, whilst building on the Trust's ethos and vision.

For further details please see the attached job description and “The DRET Way – Primary” information pack which can be found here. 

About our Academy

At Malcolm Arnold Preparatory School, we are continually striving to excite and motivate our pupils through a rich and inspiring curriculum. We are committed to supporting each child to reach their full academic potential, but more than that, we want to enable our pupils to experience memorable and pivotal experiences that will enrich their learning and lives. There is an exciting blend of an aspirational culture which focuses on high academic achievement, but that nurtures and supports pupils to develop their perseverance when embracing new challenges.

At our school, we set high standards for our pupils and expect them to take pride in their behaviour and attitudes to learning. We encourage children to foster positive relationships with each other, to be kind and courteous and develop lively and enquiring minds, as well as the social skills to do well in the next stages of their lives. We are proud to be a Church of England school and we believe passionately in our 6 virtues that we as a school practice throughout each day.

Salary & Benefits

• L17 – L22 £65,699 - £74,283 per annum
• Access to Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• CPD including full induction, Senior Leader and Knowledge Development Courses
• Regional network of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in Education and high-quality curriculum resources
• Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme
• Rewards and Recognition Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Who we are looking for

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly experienced school leader who may a seasoned leader, or a senior school leader who may be seeking a first Headship role. All new leaders to DRET will receive quality professional support from the moment you are appointed, and ongoing. You will be supported in developing your craft and your skills to become an outstanding Principal. You will see yourself as a teacher at heart, able to inspire others to learn and promoting a broad and balanced curriculum that meets all children’s needs. You will also need to have excellent communication skills, be approachable and be a good listener; as well as be able to deal with the everyday challenges that being the Principal of a school brings. You will be joining a family of twenty-three primary schools, within a Trust of 34 academies overall.

You will be able to share with us your success story in rapid school improvement. If you can demonstrate outstanding effectiveness as both a leading classroom practitioner and senior leader, and can also bring impressive skills in strategic and resource management, development planning and personnel and financial management, then we would like to hear from you.

As an innovative, motivational leader, you will have a commitment to your own professional development as well as those who work in your team and will contribute to the wider life both at the school and within the Trust. You will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current educational priorities and be able to demonstrate how these will influence your vision for the school moving forwards.

It is essential that you have experience of promoting equality and diversity and are fully up to date with the policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. You must be committed to inclusion with an up-to-date knowledge of appropriate strategies and the type of support needed for children with special educational needs. Safeguarding is our number one priority, so expect to undergo a rigorous safer recruitment process.

About The David Ross Education Trust

The David Ross Education Trust’s (DRET) mission is to give every child attending one of our schools a world-class education. 

Broadening the horizons of young people by inspiring students to become their confident, academic best through an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities, is our mission.

Apply now

For any informal queries about the role and to arrange a visit to our academy please contact our Regional Director, Janey Cooksley, via jcooksley@briarhillprimary.co.uk .

To complete our on-line application form, please click on ‘apply now’ and submit it no later than 12pm noon on Tuesday 28th February 2023. Interviews are scheduled for week commencing 6th March 2023.

DRET is an equal opportunity employer. It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.

DRET is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust.

All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" statutory guidance.