Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal)

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE

Deadline is today

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  17 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  23 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Leadership scale commensurate with experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success.

The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards, preferably in a non-selective setting. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy even further whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas.

We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are:

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at secondary level;
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff;
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school;
• able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance;
• approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success;
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

What the school offers its staff

You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.

On the basis that interested candidates may be keen to visit the academy before making a formal application, you can arrange this by contacting Sabrina Catanho (Office Manager and PA to Principal) - sabrina.catanho@sgla.latrust.org.uk. Visits will be offered and will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Sabrina a range of dates when you are available in your initial email to ensure we can coordinate a visit that works for both you and the academy.

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with the SLT about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Sabrina Catanho (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date: Tuesday 17th March 2026, 9am

Shortlisting date: Tuesday 17th March 2026, 2.30pm

Interview date: Wednesday 25th March 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information please contact Charlotte Herberts (Recruitment Advisor) on 01634 412 245 or charlotte.herberts@latrust.org.uk.

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1335 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-leigh-academy

Arranging a visit to Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email joinus@latrust.org.uk.

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