Principal
Leeds East Academy, Leeds, LS14 6HA33 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
9 June 2026 at 9am
Date listed
7 May 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
- Leadership 34 to 38 (£116,455 to £128,446)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Post Reference: 2799
Academy: Leeds East Academy
Job Title: Principal
Grade: Leadership 34 to 38 (£116,455 to £128,446)
Hours: Full time
Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer
Leeds East Academy is a thriving 11-16 school committed to transforming the lives of young people through education. Rooted in values of resilience, integrity, trust, and ambition, the academy fosters an inclusive and supportive environment where every student is encouraged to excel, regardless of their background. As part of the White Rose Academies Trust, the school is dedicated to delivering a world-class education, continuously evolving to meet the needs of its students and embracing innovative approaches to learning.
Recognised by Ofsted in 2024 for its strong leadership, positive student behaviour, and personal development opportunities, Leeds East Academy has undergone remarkable improvement in recent years. The school is driven by the belief that every child can achieve exceptional outcomes. More than just a place of learning, the academy nurtures and inspires students, equipping them with the skills and character to succeed in life and contribute positively to society.
We are committed to investing in our staff and supporting their continuous professional growth. As part of our Trust, colleagues have access to a range of nationally recognised qualifications from Level 3 to Level 6, fully funded by the organisation. We provide protected time during the working week to enable staff to complete these qualifications successfully, ensuring professional development is both achievable and meaningful. This commitment reflects our belief in nurturing talent and supporting career progression across all roles within the Trust.
Leeds East Academy is part of White Rose Academies Trust, a local trust dedicated to raising aspirations and unlocking the potential of young people across Leeds. Together, we are committed to delivering a world-class education and creating life-changing opportunities for all.
Leeds East Academy, part of the White Rose Academies Trust, is seeking an exceptional Principal to lead the academy at a pivotal moment in its journey. This is a compelling opportunity for a values‑driven leader to build on recent progress and shape the future of a vibrant, diverse secondary school serving the East Leeds community.
Following a period of purposeful renewal, the academy now benefits from a calm, focused and aspirational culture underpinned by strong relationships, clear systems and high expectations. Inclusion, equity and ambition sit at the heart of everything we do, guided by our belief that Everyone Exceptional.
As Principal, you will provide inspiring strategic and operational leadership, with accountability for educational performance, pastoral outcomes and the day‑to‑day life of the academy. Working closely with the CEO, Trust executive team and Local Accountability Board, you will:
- Lead a clear, inclusive vision that promotes social mobility and high aspiration
- Secure consistently strong teaching, learning and curriculum quality
- Champion inclusive practice, ensuring all pupils, particularly those with SEND or disadvantage, thrive
- Develop leadership capacity and foster a culture of professional learning and wellbeing
- Build strong partnerships with families, communities and external agencies
We are looking for an experienced and credible school leader with a strong moral purpose, a proven track record of improvement and the ability to inspire confidence across diverse stakeholders. This role will suit a serving Principal or an ambitious senior leader ready for headship within a supportive, values‑led Trust.
As part of White Rose Academies Trust, you will join a collaborative network of leaders, benefit from high‑quality professional development and be supported to lead with confidence and impact.
White Rose Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Part of White Rose Academies Trust - Leeds East Academy is accelerating on a thrilling journey, which will ultimately see the school, its staff and its students, secure continued strides for the school and the community that it serves.
The trust currently employs over 500 members of staff and is responsible for educating and developing almost 4,000 students between the ages of 3 to 16. The trust consists of three secondary schools - Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy and Leeds West Academy, and also welcomed its first primary school Alder Tree Primary Academy on 1st December 2020.
We believe the trust is a highly desirable place of work for an ambitious professional, who will be joining one of the most supportive and talented teams in the country.
Closing Date: Tuesday 9th June 2026
If you would like to arrange a visit to the academy, please contact us on 0113 273 1964.
White Rose Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures and an enhanced DBS check.
Please note this role will involve contact with children and you will be engaging in regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome from all, irrespective of sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.
What the school offers its staff
Terms and Conditions
All of our employees benefit from nationally negotiated terms and conditions including STPCD (teachers) or NJC Green book (support staff). This includes our commitment to the Real Living Wage Foundation.
Long Service Recognition
After 5 years continuous service, support staff will receive 5 additional days of annual leave entitlement (pro rata).
Flexible Working
We offer flexible working arrangements from term time only, part-time, job share opportunities, as well as hybrid working where possible. Flexible working can also be requested for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing champions and Mental Health First Aiders are available in each of our academies, demonstrating our commitment to, and support for staff.
Family Friendly Policies
At the heart of our policies we strive to be family orientated to support work/life balance. This includes a policy to support emergency and special leave where required.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
All colleagues and their families have access to Health Assured, a confidential service to support our colleagues with their wellbeing. This includes access to a Health Assured app.
Generous Pensions Schemes
All employees benefit from wither Teachers Pension Scheme or LGPS.
Eye Test Vouchers
Employees using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) are provided with a free eye test and up to £69 towards selected glasses* , funded by the trust. If glasses are needed solely for DSE use, the trust will pay. (*Subject to terms and conditions).
Colleague Recognition Schemes
We have a variety of schemes across our schools that allows our staff to be recognised and thanked for their hard work.
Our Commitment to Wellbeing
Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.
Car Parking
Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.
Headspace
We are delighted to offer access to Headspace which is available for free, for all of our colleagues. Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you through science.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes
All colleagues have access to both the Tech Scheme and the Cycle to work scheme, which allows colleagues to spread the cost of these purchases, making NI savings of up to 12%.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures and an enhanced DBS check.
Please note this role will involve contact with children and you will be engaging in regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome, irrespective of
sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.
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)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Leeds East Academy
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1016 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Leeds East Academy website
- Email address
- wrat-hr@whiteroseacademies.org
- Phone number
- 0113 273 1964
Leeds East Academy is an over-subscribed 11-16 academy that has recently achieved the title of UK Parliament School of the Year. We are a vibrant, diverse and welcoming academy community who are committed to securing our highly ambitious vision of ‘Everyone Exceptional’ for every single member of our wonderful school. Over the last three years the school has been on a rapid journey of transformation which has resulted in significant improvements in attendance, progress, and behaviour. We received a ‘good’ judgement in our 2019 Ofsted inspection and every member of our community is determined to convert this to outstanding and beyond at our next inspection.
We are proud to be an academy who forms part of the High-Performance Learner international community and our vision of ‘Everyone Exceptional’ is underpinned by the principles of High-Performance Learner. The principles simply foster the belief that every child can and will perform highly and are able to excel both academically and personally within the right climate and culture. We have worked closely with our academy community to develop a culture and climate in which both staff and students can flourish.
Our academy is committed to delivering an outstanding education to each and every one of our students. We provide exceptional life training; harnessing the skills and fortifying the aspirations of young people, who we know will transform the region and provide a positive, progressive contribution to society.
White Rose Academies Trust is a local trust dedicated to raising and fulfilling the ambitions of young people. Our academies throughout Leeds are at the heart of the communities they serve, which is why we are committed to delivering an outstanding education to every one of our students.
Arranging a visit to Leeds East Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email wrat-hr@whiteroseacademies.org.
School location
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