Regional Director And Executive Principal - Primary

Are you an experienced and self-motivated primary Principal ready to lead one of our vibrant and aspirational regional school clusters?

About Star Central

Star Central, which is headquartered in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Who we’re looking for

We are looking for an experienced primary Principal with the ability and authority to lead improvements in standards across a group of primary schools in one of the Trust’s regional clusters.

You will bring a strong school improvement focus with the ability to identify priorities and put in place interventions to secure gains in pupil outcomes.

The position requires an individual who can work both strategically and operationally, modelling best practice in leadership and pedagogy on a day-to-day basis.

You will have a track record of successful school leadership with a clear understanding of how to deliver the highest possible standards across schools with differing contexts and improvement journeys. You will also be able to line manage school Principals, holding them to account for standards and outcomes, and where necessary coaching and guiding them to enhance their leadership practice.

You will have:

• Credibility as an experienced and successful primary Principal with a demonstrable track record of success;
• The ability to lead, manage, develop and inspire school leaders to secure improved standards and outcomes;
• The ability to support Principals and school leaders to manage change rapidly and sustainably;
• A comprehensive knowledge of school improvement and school-to-school support strategies and how to implement them effectively;
• Strong strategic and operational planning skills;
• An understanding of the benefits and dynamics of wider partnerships in localities and regions;
• Full commitment to our vision and values.

​​​​​​​About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 31 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. 

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

​​​​​​​Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role.  For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Daniel Burgess on 0330 313 9150 or email daniel.burgess@staracademies.org.​​​​​​​

Please note that we have one role available which will be based in one of the following locations: Bradford/West Yorkshire, Lancashire/Greater Manchester, Birmingham/South.

Nationwide travel will be required.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Friday, 03 February 2023 at midday

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Proposed Start Date: ​​​​​​​September 2023 (or April 2023 if available).

Application Process

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.