Principal

City of London Academies Trust

Principal – City of London Academy, Southwark (COLAS)

Contract type: Permanent

Start date: September 2026

Salary: L32 – L38 (£120,678 - £138,235 fte) plus Teachers’ Pension Scheme

About Us

The City of London Academies Trust is driven by a mission to deliver exceptional outcomes and transformative life chances for every pupil, regardless of their background. We are seeking an exceptional, high-calibre school leader with a proven track record at Senior Leadership Team level of driving school improvement. The successful candidate will thrive in a system-oriented environment, and understand that schools achieve their full potential when leaders act as architects of culture.

At COLAT, we are driven by an unwavering ambition to secure the highest possible outcomes for some of London’s most disadvantaged pupils, and aim for all our schools to achieve a minimum Progress 8 score of +1. Where schools are already close to this benchmark, we strive to match the performance of the highest performing schools in the country. Our operating model, informed by the practices of the country’s most successful schools, is designed to deliver consistently high standards and outstanding outcomes. This role is ideal for those who are fully committed to our educational philosophy and take pride in the consistent, rigorous application of the Trust’s frameworks, and the successful leader will have the support to implement this model with precision and fidelity.

We operate a ‘warm/strict’ approach, grounded in the belief that excellent behaviour creates conditions for exceptional learning. We prioritise uncompromising standards, clear adult authority, and direct instruction as the most effective approach to teaching and learning, ensuring that every lesson is calm, focused and purposeful. Our schools are expected to provide strong routines, silent corridors and rigorous uniform expectations, alongside the growing use of family dining to strengthen culture and community. Our curriculum is knowledge-rich, academically rigorous, and highly ambitious, designed to secure strong outcomes for pupils, particularly those facing the greatest disadvantage.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional leader to join our Trust as Principal of City of London Academy Southwark, building on its current successes and accelerating the performance of the Trust’s largest academy.

The opportunities for the incoming Principal are vast. You will oversee a vibrant sixth form, a trailblazing Basketball Academy that dominates national competitions and titles, and numerous rich opportunities for the student body through the relationship with the Trust and the City of London Corporation - you will open doors for your students that exist nowhere else in the state sector. The role will suit a leader seeking a Trust that provides clarity, structure, and support to implement with excellence the established practices of the country’s highest performing schools.

About You

You will have made a significant contribution to a school’s leadership, culture, behaviour, and student outcomes, and you will be confident operating within a ‘warm/strict’ model. You value and understand the importance of consistency across multi-academy trusts and recognise that successful school leaders achieve lasting impact through the implementation of consistent policies, systems and routines. You are committed to and aligned with COLAT’s educational philosophy, and are ambitious and driven by the challenge of building and sustaining an exceptional school. You understand that outstanding behaviour, culture, and academic achievement are inseparable where the most disadvantaged students thrive academically and personally. Your leadership will demonstrate the determination and focus required to secure excellence in all areas for yourself, your team, and your pupils.

You understand the transformative impact a school can have on disadvantaged pupils and have either delivered this in previous roles or are eager to develop this expertise. You are seeking a Trust that shares the same mindset, determination and objective.  

Application details

For further details, please refer to the attached application pack. If you require additional information, would like an informal discussion about the role, or would like to book a place at one of our open events for prospective candidates, please email enquiries@cola.org.uk.

If you share our ambition, align with our educational philosophy, and wish to join our dedicated team of professionals, we would be delighted to hear from you. Candidates must address the questions included in the application pack in no more than two sides of A4 (font size 11). Application access can be found on the City of London Academies website on the following link: https://www.cola.org.uk/join/jobs/

Closing date for applications: 9.00am, Monday 2 February 2026

Interviews will take place on: 10 February 2026

City of London Academies Trust supports Equal Opportunities Employment.

City of London Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, including enhanced DBS checks and a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the standards which flows from City of London Academies Trust vision and values.

The role is covered by part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.

City of London Academies Trust Company Registration No. 04504128.