Assistant Principal

Leigh Academy Oaks, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9AX

6 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  18 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  12 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Leadership scale based on experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leadership Scale + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additionalLAT benefits.

We are now recruiting for the role ofAssistant Principalfor Leigh Academy Oaks, 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. This role is based within our thriving primary academy and includes a Year 6 teaching responsibility within Key Stage 2.

The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the continued development of the academy as an outstanding provider of education to maintaining and building further on the already exceptional quality of education as recognised by the recent Ofsted inspection. 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, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all pupils achieve their full potential.

We are incredibly proud that Leigh Academy Oaks has recently received an exceptional Ofsted outcome, being awarded six exceptional grades. This is an exciting time to join the academy and become part of our exceptional team. To find out more pleaseclick here.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, alongside a proven track record of success in raising standards, preferably within a primary setting. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Oaks even further, whilst ensuring that our pupils develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and embody our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole academy responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal and wider leadership team and will contribute significantly to the continued success and development of the academy. In addition to leadership responsibilities, this is a teaching role and the successful candidate will lead a Year 6 class, modelling exceptional classroom practice and supporting pupils through the final stage of their primary education journey.

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.

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 primary level;
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff and pupils;
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the academy;
• 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.

To support your application, we recommend viewing theJob Packbyclicking here,which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Applying for this Opportunity

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 Jessica Osbourne (Office Manager) - jessica.osborne@oaks.latrust.org.uk. Visits will be offered and will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Jessica 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 Jessica Osbourne (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date:Monday 18th May 2026 (3pm)Shortlisting date:Tuesday 19th May 2026Interview date:Wednesday 20th May 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contactAmy Wenban(LAT Recruitment Team) on01634 412 205oramy.wenban@latrust.org.uk.

What the school offers its staff

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.

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.

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.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job_Pack___Assistant_Principal___Leigh_Academy_Oaks.pdf - 1.36 MB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Oaks

• School type: Academies, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 225 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leigh Academy Oaks website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oaks-primary-academy

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Oaks

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

School location

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