Principal

Leigh Academy Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9JX

22 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  25 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  3 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Highly Competitive + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare

What skills and experience we're looking for

Highly Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare + collaborative MAT network + additionalLAT benefits.

Leigh Academies Trust is seeking to appoint an ambitious and visionaryPrincipalforLeigh Academy Marden. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a flourishing primary academy at the heart of the Marden community. We are part of a highly successful, financially sound, and mature multi-academy trust that balances professional autonomy for effective leaders with robust central support and a culture of deep collaboration.

We are looking for a leader who is relentless in their ambition for our pupils; someone dedicated to fostering an environment where every child thrives and achieves their full potential, regardless of their starting point.

We wish to hear from you if you 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;
• 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

What we can offer you:

• a highly competitive 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 byclicking 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.

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.

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 contactingJo Johnsonvia email:jo.johnson@latrust.org.uk.Visits will be hosted byTracey Trusler, Academies Director, or the currentPrincipal.Please ensure you offer Jo 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, Tracey Trusler, about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contactJo Johnson(as above) in the first instance.

Closing date:Wednesday 25th March 2026 (9am)Shortlisting date:Wednesday 25th March 2026 (PM)Interview date:Wednesday 1st April 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information please contactAmy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor)on01634 412 205oramy.wenban@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_Marden_(2).pdf - 812 KB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Marden

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 322 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leigh Academy Marden website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/marden-primary-academy-tonbridge

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Marden

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

School location

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