Principal

Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet, Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0BZ

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  2 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  3 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • 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: Six Figure Salary + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare
• Additional allowances:

  Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leigh Academies Trust is looking for an ambitious Principal to lead Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet through its next defining chapter. This is a great opportunity for an experienced leader to join a school that is central to the growing Ebbsfleet community.

As an IB World School, we challenge our students to think bigger, stay curious, and act with integrity. We keep our daily expectations simple: Be Ready, Work Hard, and Be Nice. If you are a leader who believes that a calm, orderly, and highly aspirational environment is the right of every child, you will thrive here.

We are looking for a leader who can build on our current momentum and lead the academy to “Outstanding”. You will be an experienced senior leader with the drive to elevate our standards even further, ensuring that excellence is the norm in every classroom.

We wish to hear from you if you 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;
• a passion for working in an urban, multicultural setting;
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

What the school offers its staff

What we can offer you:

• a six figure salary, along with private healthcare and an opportunity to earn a performance bonus;
• an exciting LAT career path with opportunities for further progression in the future;
• security and support on your journey from close collaboration with a small central executive and a larger group of talented Principals to share best practice and innovation.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack, 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.

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 Molly Allen via email: molly.allen@latrust.org.uk. Visits will be hosted by Emma Elwin, Academies Director, or a member of the senior leadership team. Please ensure you offer Molly 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 our Trust Academies Director, Emma Elwin, about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Molly Allen via email molly.allen@latrust.org.uk in the first instance.

Closing date: Monday 2nd March 2026 (9am)

Shortlisting date: Monday 2nd March 2026 (PM)

Interview date: Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th March 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Charlotte Herberts (LAT Recruitment Team) 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___Principal___Leigh_Academy_Ebbsfleet.pdf - 821 KB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 826 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-ebbsfleet-academy

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet

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

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