Principal
Accrington Academy, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 4FF26 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
16 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
18 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- The salary will be commensurate with the significance and importance of the post and the experience of the successful candidate. Pay is above STPCD with additional increases for excellent performance.
What skills and experience we're looking for
Education and Training:
-Educational and professional qualifications appropriate for the role of Principal of the school. Such qualifications would normally include a degree from a recognised university, professional qualifications (for example PGCE) and ideally a further post graduate qualification;
-Evidence of professional development across career to date.
Experience:
-Demonstrable success in a leadership role in a comparable organisation and through significant periods of development;
-A proven track record of securing excellence in an educational establishment;
-A proven track record in rapidly raising pupils’ achievements;
-Evidence of the ability to develop excellent relationships withstaff, members of the local community, parents and pupils(across key stages);
-Experience in leading and developing colleagues and effective teams.
Knowledge, Skills and Qualities:
-An in-depth understanding of school leadership and school improvement needed to achieve outstanding pupil progress and personal development;
-The ability to create and implement effective managementsystems in which roles, responsibilities and accountabilities areclearly articulated;
-An understanding of the importance of research in developing approaches to learning and curriculum design and the ability to put this into practice;
-An understanding of expectations of all phases of education,from early years through to Post-16;
-A thorough understanding of school markets, the analysisrequired to develop those and the skills to implement successful marketing strategies.
What the school offers its staff
Accrington Academy is an 11–16 secondary school at the heart of its community in East Lancashire. With a committed team, a caring ethos, and well-equipped facilities, the school provides students with the chance to flourish through a wide range of experiences that nurture character and creativity. Many pupils work hard and want to do their best, and there is a sense of pride in the school within the community.
At the same time, we know the school is not yet where we want it to be. The appointment of a new Principal provides an exciting opportunity to reshape priorities and deliver rapid, sustained improvement so that every child achieves well. We are looking for a leader who sees challenge as an opportunity to make a lasting impact: someone with the vision, determination, and ability to unite staff, students, and families behind a shared purpose. This is an opportunity to transform a school and change lives. If you believe that young people can achieve extraordinary things and have the drive to build a team that will make this a reality, we would be delighted to hear from you.
United Learning is a big group of schools – with over 75,000 pupils and more than 10,000 staff – so we have the capacity to support you educationally and operationally. At the same time, we are values led and base all that we do on good relationships, so you will be joining a big family. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will be supported both personally and professionally, benefitting from the strength of a national group who will support your development and that of your staff and school.
We are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusion. We are currently working hard to improve representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at headship level and to raise our proportion of women leaders to match their representation in our wider workforce. Whoever you are, if you have a strong track record of improving young people’s education and a drive to do more, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
We fully recommend that you take the opportunity to make an informal visit prior to making your application to see the school for yourself. If you would like to arrange a visit or discuss the role in further detail, please contact Geoff Morris at geoff.morris@unitedlearning.org.uk or by phone on 07811 345 638.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About Accrington Academy
- School type
- Academy, Christian, ages 11 to 19
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 993 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Accrington Academy website
- Email address
- geoff.morris@unitedlearning.org.uk
- Phone number
- 07811 345 638
Accrington Academy has a strong local reputation and has been oversubscribed for several years. We are a successful school, where our staff and students thrive in a purposeful, ambitious, and supportive environment. We seek to provide outstanding education and bring out ‘The best in everyone’ every single day.
We are incredibly proud to deliver a curriculum which combines powerful knowledge and outstanding examination results with Education with Character; an education which challenges, inspires and excites our students and prepares them for the ups and downs of life. With this in mind, we provide a breadth of opportunities and experiences which seek to help our students become confident, well-rounded, and ambitious young adults. Our curriculum and enrichment programme are overflowing with opportunities to try something new and develop new skills.
The academy continues to go from strength to strength, with passionate staff who are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ seeing and treating every student as an individual. The environment in which we work is modern and vibrant with first class facilities.
As one of the UK’s largest and most respected multi academy trusts, United Learning is committed to helping you thrive. We offer outstanding career development, personalised support, and a culture that truly values your contribution.
We are always evolving our benefits to meet the changing needs of our staff and to remain one of the most rewarding places to work in education. Recent additions include a Health Cash Plan, which allows you to claim back the cost of private healthcare, covering everything from dental and optical care to physiotherapy and specialist consultations. We have also introduced a free Will writing service, giving you peace of mind for the future.
As a United Learning colleague, you will benefit from:
• Some of the most competitive salaries in the sector, with average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers
• Enhanced family leave benefits
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover every day healthcare costs, reducing financial pressure while supporting your wellbeing
• Discounts on gym memberships
• A convenient car lease scheme
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support
As an Accrington Academy colleague, you will also benefit from:
• A commitment to support you where possible with flexible working options which suit your lifestyle
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish
• Excellent facilities and resources, including onsite gym and pool
We welcome visits to our school so that you can experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself.
Accrington Academy is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
Arranging a visit to Accrington Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email geoff.morris@unitedlearning.org.uk.
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