Head of College (Vice Principal)

Leigh Academy Longfield, Longfield, Kent, DA3 7PH

6 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  19 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  13 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
  • Deputy headteacher
  • Other leadership roles
• 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: Highly competitive plus performance bonus and private healthcare

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leigh Academy Longfield has an exceptional opportunity for a committed, enthusiastic and passionate Head of College (Vice Principal) to join us from September 2026. Joining us will enable you to work with like-minded colleagues who share your goals and ambitions. You will be part of a team that provides outstanding educational opportunities for all of our pupils through creative, carefully sequenced and highly effective lines of inquiry where all learners are at the very core of driving our curriculum.

This position offers a unique leadership opportunity for those who are inspired to positively impact upon children’s life chances and potential. As part of this position there will be the expectation that you will cover classes to provide release time or provide some teaching to a consistent class. You will support the Principal with the strategic direction of the academy and act in a delegated capacity in their absence.

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

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious leader with a successful track record 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

Leigh Academy Longfield offers a friendly and supportive working environment with innovation and collaboration at the heart of everything we do. The academy is recognised as an International Baccalaureate (IB) world school and delivers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) to students in years 7 -9. Our most recent inspection in 2018 confirmed that Leigh Academy Longfield continues to provide strong educational outcomes for students. The richness of our extracurricular activities allows our students to excel in drama, music, sports and STEM. Leaders of the academy are highly ambitious for all of the students. We have a strong drive for school improvement underpinned by a relentless focus on the core business of improving teaching and learning. We do not limit that ambition to the outcomes of public examinations; our students being prepared for life is equally as important to everyone at the academy. Our pastoral system is truly exceptional and we pride ourselves on the quality of care for every student. Our Post-16 provision continues to go from strength to strength, rated in the top 10% for Kent, with our students securing places at top universities.

Leigh Academy Longfield benefits from modern, state-of-the-art facilities for learning across all subject areas. We have a thorough and robust approach to school improvement, and the academy is well on course to becoming a truly Outstanding school.

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 Stephanie Braden -stephanie.braden@longfield.latrust.org.uk

Visits will be offered and will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Stephanie Braden 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 Stephanie (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date: Tuesday 19th May 2026

Shortlisting date: Wednesday 20th May 2026

Interview date: Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd May 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.

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___Head_of_College_(Vice_Principal)___Leigh_Academy_Longfield.pdf - 1.12 MB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Longfield

• School type: Academies, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 980 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leigh Academy Longfield website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/longfield-academy-longfield

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Longfield

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

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