Do you have the vision, passion and rigour to lead one of London’s most high-profile all-through schools?

We are looking for an inspirational Executive Principal to lead Isaac Newton Academy through the next chapter in its history. You will be a creative and tenacious leader who will help us to continue to get great results throughout the whole school. You will hold exceptionally high expectations for all pupils and make sure they are given every opportunity to succeed.

Isaac Newton Academy is a non-denominational, non-selective school, welcoming students of all backgrounds from the local community. The secondary school opened in 2012 with its inaugural cohort of 180 year 7 students and it will grow, year on year, to become an 11-18 academy of 1250 students with specialist status in mathematics and music. In 2014 the primary phase of the academy opened to 90 reception-aged pupils. This too will grow each year, until full in September 2020. Our school was graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2014.

There is much to be proud of and as we enter the next phase of our development, we need to build on these successes and embrace future challenges.

This is an exciting and challenging role which offers:

• The opportunity to make a significant impact and ensure a lasting legacy
• A highly competitive salary package and unrivalled professional development
• The unwavering support of an experienced Regional Director and the Ark network
• The chance to work with a vibrant and enthusiastic cohort of students
• Partnership with a forward-thinking governing body and active Chair who sponsored the school
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of our secondary curriculum across the entire Ark network

We know that great schools need great senior leaders, which is why we are always keen to hear from people who share our belief that an excellent education is central to transforming lives.

Ideal candidates will:

• Have a very clear understanding of what makes a great school and the skills and character required to develop this
• Evidence of effective leadership at a whole school level
• Be a great teacher themselves. As a leader of teaching, we are looking for someone who really knows what great learning looks like in the classroom and how to achieve it
• Be fully aligned with Ark’s values and six pillars
• Be committed to supporting practices that will drive great progress in Ark’s London hub and across the wider network of Ark schools

In return, you will work with an experienced SLT and will be given the opportunity to broaden and develop your skills. We are committed to providing staff with high-quality and regular professional development.

Location: Ilford, Greater London
Closing date: 10am Wednesday 24th October
First Interview: 29th October
Final Interview: 14th November
Salary: Highly competitive and negotiable depending on experience 
Reporting to: Regional Director 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Job description

The Executive Principal is responsible for providing an outstanding education for all pupils at the academy. The Executive Principal will work with the senior team to establish outstanding teaching and learning and an excellent school culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership of the academy and its staff in order to achieve extremely high standards of teaching and learning, behaviour and attainment
• Implementation and coordination of the vision, ethos and strategy for the academy
• Leadership of effective external relationships, including the local community and other stakeholders
• Contribution to the overall direction of the Ark network.

OUTCOMES AND ACTIVITIES

Personal leadership and coaching

• Recruit, train, motivate and mentor all staff
• Instill an ethos of high expectations for achievement and behaviour for all pupils
• Lead the development of the academy curriculum and culture
• Maintain strong working relationships with the community, agencies, and stakeholders, including parents and the Governing Body
• Develop partnerships with other local schools and the local authority to ensure that the vision for regeneration in the area is realised.

Coordination of the overall strategy

• Oversee staffing allocation, including support staff, across the academy
• Coordinate cross-academy responsibilities among the senior leaders and staff
• Ensure robust operational systems are in place that support the academy’s efficient functioning
• Working with the Finance and Resources function, oversee the academy finance, facilities, catering and resources across the school.

Development of the Ark network

• Collaborate with others in the network to develop good practice and share innovation
• Help shape or lead education initiatives across the Ark network
• Undertake any other responsibilities as directed by the Regional Director and the Chair of the Governing Body.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

• Qualified to degree level and above
• Qualified to teach and work in the UK.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of school leadership (at least at deputy head level or equivalent)
• Experience of having helped lead a school that provides an excellent education for its pupils (ideally in a challenging urban environment) and has an excellent standard of teaching and learning.

BEHAVIOURS

Leadership

• Effective management style that encourages participation, innovation and confidence
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate staff within a performance management framework, including professional development and effective management of underperformance
• Ability to develop the leadership skills of others
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Takes personal responsibility for their own actions
• Resilience and motivation to lead the academy through day-to-day challenges while maintaining a clear strategic vision and direction
• Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every student
• Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

Vision and strategy

• Vision aligned with Ark’s high aspirations and high expectations of self and others
• Clear vision and understanding of how to implement and sustain high quality education in an inner city school. This includes strategically leading all aspects of the academy, such as training, curriculum, learning, administration, finance and communication
• Clear vision and understanding of the strategies to establish consistently high standards of behaviour in an inner city school and commitment to relentlessly instilling these strategies
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to delegate
• Use of data to inform and diagnose weaknesses that need addressing
• Ability to work collaboratively with partner stakeholders, agencies and peers in the Ark network.