The Opportunity 

This is a rare opportunity to lead a growing and ambitious through-school academy and to shape a truly coherent educational experience for children from their earliest years through to adolescence. 

We are seeking an exceptional educational leader who believes deeply in the power of a through-school model one where values, expectations, and academic excellence are nurtured consistently from early childhood through to secondary and further education. The successful candidate will have the vision and determination to ensure that every pupil benefits from a seamless journey of learning, aspiration, and personal development. 

The Executive Principal will lead the educational life of the Academy, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, and pupil achievement, while building a culture defined by high expectations, inclusion, and opportunity for all. 

Working alongside the Chief Executive Officer initially and Board of Trustees, the Executive Principal will play a central role in shaping the Academy’s future and establishing it as the school of choice for families in the community. 

This role also offers an unusual and exciting leadership trajectory. The Academy operates with a fractal leadership model, where strategic responsibilities evolve as the organisation grows. Over time, elements of the CEO’s strategic portfolio will progressively transfer to the Executive Principal, creating a clear pathway for the successful candidate to take on broader executive leadership and system-wide responsibility in the future. 

For the right candidate, this represents not only the opportunity to lead an exceptional school, but to help shape the long-term direction and leadership architecture of the organisation itself. 

Leadership Structure 

The Academy operates under a collaborative leadership structure designed to ensure clarity of responsibility while enabling long-term growth. 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Provides strategic leadership, external representation, governance alignment, and long-term organisational vision. Is expected to be in place for a 6 – 12 months to ensure consistency for the Academy.  

Executive Principal

• Leads the educational and operational life of the Academy across all phases, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and pupil development.
• The Executive Principal work in close partnership to deliver the Academy’s ambitions, combining strategic leadership with operational excellence.
• As the Academy continues to develop, the leadership model is designed to evolve. The Executive Principal will increasingly contribute to wider strategic leadership and system development, creating opportunities for expanded responsibility over time. 

Role Purpose 

The Executive Principal will provide inspirational leadership for the Academy’s entire through-school provision, ensuring a cohesive and ambitious educational experience from Nursery through to secondary education. 

The successful candidate will be a visible and values-driven leader who is able to inspire staff, pupils, and families alike. They will build a culture where academic excellence sits alongside character development, where expectations are high, and where every child is supported to realise their potential. 

The Executive Principal will: 

• Deliver exceptional educational outcomes for all pupils across all phases  
• Champion the Academy’s through-school vision, ensuring continuity, progression, and shared values across all phases. 
• Foster a culture of ambition, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity. 
• Lead a high-performing staff team committed to professional excellence. 
• Ensure the Academy is operationally strong, financially responsible, and strategically focused. 
• Work alongside the CEO and Board to help shape the future leadership and growth of the organisation. 

Key Responsibilities 

Educational Leadership 

• Provide outstanding leadership of teaching and learning across the entire through-school provision. 
• Design and deliver a coherent curriculum journey from Nursery through to secondary education, ensuring strong transition points between phases. Champion excellence in early years and primary education, establishing strong foundations for lifelong learning. 
• Drive sustained improvements in teaching quality, assessment, and pupil outcomes. 
• Create a culture of high expectations and academic ambition. 
• Ensure safeguarding remains central to the life and culture of the Academy. 
• Maintain full readiness for inspection, ensuring compliance with Ofsted and statutory safeguarding requirements. 

Operational Leadership 

• Lead the day-to-day management of the Academy, ensuring efficient and effective operations. 
• Oversee staffing, timetabling, and resource allocation to support high-quality teaching and learning. 
• Use performance data intelligently to inform school improvement and strategic decision-making. 
• Ensure robust compliance with statutory policies and regulatory expectations. 
• Provide clear and insightful reporting to the CEO and Board of Trustees. 
• Lead risk management and emergency planning to ensure safe and secure operations. 
• Promote the Academy within the community and maximise opportunities for community engagement. 

Staff Development and Leadership 

• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional staff across all phases of the Academy. 
• Foster a culture of professional learning, collaboration, and reflective practice. 
• Lead effective performance management and professional development. 
• Build strong leadership capacity across the school through thoughtful succession planning. 
• Identify and nurture future leaders to sustain the Academy’s long-term success. 

Community and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build strong and trusting relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community. 
• Act as a visible and inspiring ambassador for the Academy. 
• Strengthen the Academy’s reputation through effective communication and engagement. 
• Develop meaningful partnerships with feeder schools, community organisations, and external agencies. 
• Position the Academy as a centre of excellence and opportunity within the community. 

Partnership  

• Initially Work closely with the CEO to deliver the Academy’s strategic vision and priorities. 
• Provide regular reporting on educational performance and operational delivery. 
• Maintain clear alignment between strategic governance and operational leadership. 
• Contribute actively to the long-term development of the organisation. 
• Undertake additional responsibilities as delegated by the CEO. 

KPIs and Success Measures 

• Ofsted rating the Academy is currently rated good ensure the standards at all phases meet this as minimum standard with the aim of achieving exceptional in the new framework. 
• Student progress: Meet or exceed national benchmarks for attainment and progress. 
• Staff retention: Achieve high retention rates and positive staff satisfaction scores. 
• Financial efficiency: Operate within agreed budgets and demonstrate value for money. 
• Community engagement: Positive feedback from parents and stakeholders.

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

• A proven track record of successful senior leadership within either the primary or secondary phase. 
• Relevant educational and professional qualifications, including Qualified Teacher Status (or equivalent) and evidence of continued professional development. 

Experience 

Essential 

The successful candidate will demonstrate significant leadership experience and a clear record of impact, including: 

• A strong track record of raising standards and improving outcomes for a diverse range of pupils. 
• Experience of developing high-performing leadership teams, building capacity and accountability at all levels. 
• Evidence of successfully promoting and implementing innovation in teaching, learning, and curriculum design. 
• Experience of using evidence-informed approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment to drive improvement. 
• Demonstrated ability to build positive, respectful, and productive relationships with children, young people, staff, and families. 
• Experience of working effectively with diverse communities, including those with significant social and economic challenges. 
• A strong record of working constructively with external agencies and strategic partners to support pupil wellbeing and achievement. 
• Proven experience of using data analysis, target setting, and curriculum innovation to secure measurable improvement in performance. 
• Experience of leading organisational change and whole-school improvement in a complex environment. 
• Experience of strategic financial planning and resource management, ensuring that resources are used effectively to support educational priorities. 
• Experience of leading the effective management of financial and human resources, fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and high performance. 
• Experience of working constructively with a Board of Trustees or governing body, contributing to effective governance and organisational development. 
• A strong record of building and sustaining strategic partnerships with other schools and organisations. 

Desirable 

• Experience of leading within an all-through or multi-phase school setting. 
• Familiarity with Ofsted frameworks, inspection processes, and school improvement planning. 
• Experience in leadership development, succession planning, and talent management. 

Knowledge and Understanding 

The successful candidate will demonstrate: 

• A deep commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding of children and young people, with strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities. 
• A strong understanding of curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessment across multiple phases of education. 
• Up-to-date knowledge of school development planning, evaluation, and improvement strategies. 
• A clear understanding of current national educational policy, priorities, and legislation. 
• An in-depth understanding of effective strategies for raising standards of attainment, behaviour, and attendance. 
• Knowledge of robust quality assurance and performance monitoring systems. 
• A commitment to creating a flexible and inclusive educational environment that responds to the needs of every learner. 

Personal Qualities 

The successful candidate will be an inspiring and principled leader who demonstrates: 

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and build trust. 
• An unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. 
• A clear and confident leadership philosophy, capable of setting priorities and delivering ambitious goals. 
• A strong belief in the values and opportunities provided by comprehensive education. 
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, anticipating challenges and developing effective solutions. 
• The confidence to recognise excellence while constructively challenging underperformance. 
• The ability to inspire, motivate, and empower staff and pupils to achieve their best. 
• A genuine commitment to working with children and young people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating empathy and understanding. 
• A collaborative leadership style, able to build strong teams and delegate effectively. 
• A reflective mindset, seeking and acting upon feedback from colleagues, trustees, and stakeholders. 
• Adaptability and creativity in responding to changing circumstances. 
• Personal resilience, sound judgement, and decisiveness under pressure. 
• High levels of energy, perseverance, and enthusiasm, with a clear commitment to the long-term success of the Academy.