Ark King Solomon Academy 

Principal 

Reports to: Regional Director   

Start date: September 2024 or earlier if possible  

Location: Marylebone, London  

Salary: Significant and generous salary, including potential relocation bonus   

Contract: Permanent, full-time  

Closing date: 9am, Monday 9th October 2023  

School visits: Thursday 28th September or by arrangement  

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 9th October 

Ark King Solomon Academy seeks to appoint a new Principal with a clear vision and understanding of what it takes to drive an excellent school. Consistently ranked as one of the highest-performing non-selective schools in the country, serving a disadvantaged community with over half of our pupils on free school meals, Ark King Solomon Academy has shown the impact of high expectations, an excellent school culture and excellent teaching.  

Our school: 

Ark King Solomon Academy is a popular and over-subscribed, all-through school based across two sites in Marylebone, Westminster. The school opened in 2007 and is made up of a three-form entry Younger Years site (including a purpose-built nursery with classes up to year 4) and an Older Years site (from Year 5 to Year 13) serving 1,300 pupils. As an all-through school, the Principal can impact our children’s journey from the moment they enter nursery at two, three and four years old until they leave our school at 18 years. Last year, Ark King Solomon Academy was the highest performing non-denominational school in the country. In 2023 the schools’ Progress 8 was over +1.1, ensuring they remain in the top 1% of schools nationally for the fifth year running. 

The appointed Principal will be expected to develop their own vision for continued success whilst upholding the schools’ values, building credibility with the senior leadership team and pushing the schools’ priorities forward for further impact. Ark King Solomon Academy is part of the Ark network, one of the country’s most successful multi-academy trusts. They will join a team of ambitious Principals who work collaboratively to share best practice, provide support for one another, and improve what we do as a school and as a network. In addition, the new Principal will work closely with our Regional Director for North London, Amit Hathi, and the current Principal, Max Haimendorf, to ensure a successful transition. 

We welcome applications from both successful and experienced Vice Principals seeking their first headship, as well as existing Heads with the ambition to drive standards in a high-profile, all-through school.  

What we offer: 

We are offering a significant and generous six figure salary as well as the chance to work alongside some exceptional leaders who offer genuine support and capacity. In addition, at Ark you will have:  

How to apply: 

To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by 9am on Monday 9th October. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying, please contact us directly. 

We warmly welcome and encourage confidential conversations about the role and visits to our school for suitable candidates. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact our Regional Director, Amit Hathi on Amit.Hathi@arkonline.org or our Head of Talent, Lexy di Marco on Alexia.DiMarco@arkonline.org  

For more information about the role, the school and Ark, click here to view the full job pack.  

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.  

Ark Schools are committed to attracting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce, with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. To read more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion statement, please click this link.