Principal

Malcolm Arnold Academy is now recruiting for an inspirational and dynamic Principal.

Are you passionate about improving the lives of young people and ensuring they get their entitlement to an excellent education? Are you an ambitious and motivational leader? Do you want to lead a school that promotes living life to the full, for staff and students?

About the role

Accountable to the Executive Principal, you will continue our journey of success, at the helm of a beautifully diverse and bustling 11-18 Academy. 

You will be the strategic and operational lead in all aspects of leadership, development and management for our forward-thinking academy, making a real difference to the lives of our children and community. 

You will lead with the authority and autonomy of an experienced leader and be an educational leader for our local community.

This is such an important role for us and finding our perfect match is key; please do get in touch with our Executive Principal for an informal call or even better, come and visit to see us at work.

For information regarding the role and a tour of our Academy, please contact Megan Morris, Executive Principal, on MMorris1@MalcolmArnoldAcademy.co.uk.   Hear Megan’s welcome message here. 

See what it means and feels like to be part of the DRET Way at Malcolm Arnold Academy in the attached Candidate Information Pack, which includes the job description and person specification.

We are looking for someone to join us in September 2024 or January 2025 (or earlier by arrangement). This is a full time and permanent position.

About our Academy

We are a Church of England Academy, in which we nurture students and staff, of all faiths and none. To live and to celebrate “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10) is our mission as a school community. The values, explicitly shared with each other, which support our mission are to:

•  Be good and do good

•  Be committed to growth

•  Be of value in the community

At Malcolm Arnold Academy, everyone belongs. Our culture is one where we love, respect and value everyone. A place where we have mirrors and windows - mirrors where everyone can see themselves represented, valued and included; and windows where everyone sees and experiences views of the world we may not have previously seen. Our corridors ring with the sound of expert teaching, beautiful scholarly answers from students and the rich endeavour of people hard at work. 

We ensure that all teachers are able to draw on the sources of scholarly authority and practice that have been developed within their specialist subject communities though our Trust-wide subject communities.

We have a great reputation for growing leaders here, through talent spotting, career mapping and excellent mentorship; we would expect our Principal to be at the heart of this vital work to the profession.

We continue to develop our outstanding enrichment opportunities, covering sport, arts, music and adventures, to inspire participation, motivate our students and develop talent. This includes aligning enrichment with our curriculum to ensure the greatest impact to transform outcomes and drive social mobility. 

Salary & Benefits

•  Competitive Salary – commensurate with level of experience

•  Teachers’ Pension Scheme

•  CPD including Senior Leader and Knowledge Development Courses 

•  Regional networks of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in Education

•  Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including Employee Assistance Programme

•  Benefits Platform : discounted car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants, Cycle to Work

Who we are looking for

This role could suit a colleague who has proven success as Head of School in a large school – to work closely with our supportive Executive Principal who is experienced at MAA; or an experienced Principal looking to bring their considerable expertise to DRET. 

As an innovative leader, you will be driven by a moral imperative to make lives better through the provision of a world-class education. 

We are looking for a highly visible role model and motivational figure for both our pupils and staff. You will also need to have excellent communication skills, be approachable and a good listener whilst leading with the authority and autonomy of an experienced 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. 

To be successful, you will need to be able to demonstrate experience being in a similar role and experience of successful management of whole school improvement strategies and effective school development planning. Our best match will be someone who is aligned to our values, understands what works, is research led and committed to providing an excellent education to the children we serve.

About The David Ross Education Trust

The David Ross Education Trust (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 via an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities. 

Whatever your role you will contribute towards creating a rich and exciting learning environment that also offers our students an unrivalled package of sporting and cultural enrichment.

Apply now

For information regarding the role and a tour of our Academy, please contact Megan Morris, Executive Principal, on MMorris1@MalcolmArnoldAcademy.co.uk. 

Interviews planned for:  Day One on 17th April and, for successful candidates, Day Two on 18th April 2024

To complete our on-line application form, please follow the link.

Early applications are advised. We receive high numbers of applications for our roles and therefore have to close the vacancy prior to the closing date in order to review candidates' details against our job criteria before shortlisting or re-opening the vacancy.

DRET is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. 

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.