Principal

Are you a visionary educational leader? We are looking to recruit an exceptional Principal who has the skills, knowledge, experience and understanding to unleash the potential at our Secondary Academy in Kent and help change the lives of our young people and their community. This is a once in lifetime opportunity for an exceptional practitioner to join one of the largest and highly successful MATs as Principal, leading our curriculum development and those who deliver it, empowering them to raise attainment and standards. 

Make your mark and transform lives

Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey joined the Oasis family in January 2014 as a Secondary academy with a Sixth Form. It is located across two sites in the neighbouring areas of Minster and Sheerness. Both locations boast coastal views, affordable housing and transport networks from London and Kent. We are a large and growing school, with over 1500 students currently on roll.

We are an inclusive, comprehensive academy within an area of selective education. As a result, children’s prior attainment is below the national average on entry although the profile and needs of our children are wide ranging and diverse. Over 50% of pupils are eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant and the proportion of children with identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is above the national average.

Investment and Growth

A £52 million investment programme has allowed us to transform our Academy into a first-class learning space for our students. It is now home to a 250-seat auditorium, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, ICT suites, , motor vehicle workshop, and a beauty salon, all of which are helping the Academy’s realise its vision of our young people reaching their potential.. 

Rapid Improvement

Whilst the Academy possesses strengths, we are looking for a passionate and driven individual to improve our school rapidly, especially given the way the community has been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. At its last full inspection in July 2019 Ofsted judged the Academy as requiring improvement, the same judgement we received when inspected two years previously. Further and rapid improvement is still required to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students, although in Ofsted’s most recent visit they recognised the action being taken to ensure the academy is a ‘Good’ school. We are wholeheartedly committed to creating a school which is not only a high-quality centre of educational excellence but a focal point of belonging for the young people of the Isle of Sheppey.

We need a leader who can see and further develop the potential of our Academy and its role in the community, and who is here for the long haul.

An extended community

Developing and running Hubs is all about delivering the purpose of Oasis and on its vision for community, a place where everyone is included, contributing, and reaching their God- given potential. As Principal this is an opportunity for you to further bring this community together. Through building partnerships with local businesses and services, such as healthcare, police, charities and with the parents and carers of our young people, you will be a figurehead in this community and make our Hub thrive. The Academy already delivers much successful community work including the recently establish mobile food bank and its renowned programme for volunteering called the Dementia Café, nominated for an award from the Alzheimer’s Society.  

Our Ideal Candidate

This is a challenging but highly rewarding role with the potential to make a significant and sustained impact on our Academy and our wider community. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of senior leadership, clarity of purpose and high expectations for all. As a high-profile individual within the Academy, you will champion the Oasis ethos, strengthen the staff team’s resolve, and work with pace, clarity, and determination to move the Academy forward.  We are looking for someone who is outward facing and who is ready and excited to take on this role and deliver exceptional education at the heart of community.

About Oasis

Our Academy is part of the Oasis Community Learning family, one of the largest multi-Academy sponsors within the UK, with the express purpose of transforming learning, lives and communities. We are seeing the difference in our communities as our sustained improvement rate has gone from 30% schools ‘Good’ or better to 79% since 2014. As Principal you will enjoy the support and challenge of being part of a family of 52 Oasis Academies, working alongside leaders in their field and gaining access to great learning and training opportunities.

Together we will build the school of choice where all feel pride in belonging to a happy, caring family at the heart of our community.

Our Oasis, our Sheppey.

Come see for yourself!

We are inviting all applicants to visit the Academy on (dates to be confirmed), OCL are working in partnership with Saxton Bampfylde to recruit for this position. 

To download a pack and for details of how to apply, please visit https://www.saxbam.com/candidate-opportunities/ and use code SASAHA.

For an informal (and confidential) conversation about this opportunity please contact Charlotte Penn at Saxton Bampfylde on charlotte.penn@saxbam.com