Principal
Longsands Academy, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1LQ31 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
17 April 2026 at 12:59am
Date listed
13 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £110,363.00 - £127,849.00 Annually (Actual) LS31-37
Principal job summary
Lead the Future of Education at Longsands Academy - Become Our Next Principal
Are you an ambitious and visionary school leader with a deep commitment to academic excellence and the power of education to change lives? Do you thrive on inspiring teams, shaping strong school cultures and driving sustained whole‑school improvement? If so, this is an exceptional opportunity to take the next step in your leadership journey.
We are seeking an outstanding Principal to lead Longsands Academy, a thriving and ambitious 11-18 secondary school and sixth form, proudly part of the Astrea Academy Trust family in Cambridgeshire.
About the Role
Whether you are an accomplished Principal seeking a new challenge or an exceptional Vice Principal ready to step into senior leadership, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of a large, inclusive and aspirational academy.
We are looking for an inspirational leader with a strong moral purpose, an unwavering belief in the potential of every scholar, and the strategic capability to bring staff, pupils and the wider community together around a shared vision of success.
As Principal, you will lead Longsands Academy to become a beacon of excellence in the region, delivering an exceptional educational offer where every young person can thrive.
What We Offer
As part of Astrea Academy Trust, you will be supported by a strong and experienced central team, including:
- An experienced Executive Principal and Deputy Director of Secondary
- National Subject Leads providing expert curriculum leadership
- Central specialists in Finance, HR, Estates, Safeguarding and Operations
- A values‑driven culture focused on inclusion, aspirations and academic rigour
Key Responsibilities
- Embed Astrea’s vision and values across all areas of academy life
- Lead strategic planning, curriculum design and continuous school improvement
- Foster a culture of high expectations, excellent behaviour and scholarly ambition
- Drive strong academic outcomes and personal development for all scholars
- Build positive and collaborative relationships with staff, families and the wider community
- Develop, nurture and empower staff through high‑quality professional development
Why Join Us?
Astrea Academy Trust is steadfast in its mission to deliver a world‑class education that transforms lives. We believe in powerful knowledge, warm‑strict routines, and joyful, academically rich school environments. As Principal of Longsands Academy, you will play a pivotal role in realising this vision.
Interested in Applying?
If you share our values, believe deeply in the potential of every young person, and are ready to lead an academy with ambition and purpose, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For an initial confidential conversation, please contact Sharon Kontou - PA to the Executive Principal on sharon.kontou@astrea-longsands.org
For further information or support with the application process, please contact Stephen Casey or Sarah Fedun from the Astrea recruitment team - recruitment@astreaacademytrust.org
Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, champion excellence and shape the future of Longsands Academy, apply today and join us in our mission to transform lives through education.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Longsands Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1554 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Longsands Academy website
Longsands Academy, part of Astrea Academy Trust, is a successful, fully-inclusive secondary school at the heart of its community. We pride ourselves on providing an engaging and supportive environment in which our students feel empowered to reach and embrace their full potential with confidence. Our staff are committed to nurturing the abilities of every child with a curriculum which promotes academic excellence and is delivered by subject specialists. The opportunities we provide allow all students to showcase their talents, whether through the traditional school day or as a result of the wealth of extra-curricular activities on offer. Furthermore, in order to develop the important qualities of independent learning and resilience, our students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning both in and out of lessons. We are extremely proud of the achievements of our students that are a result of the high expectations, students’ hard work and commitment and the supportive relationships that exist between staff, students and their parents/carers.
The pursuit of academic excellence is at the heart of the Academy. Through high expectations of behaviour, a commitment to great standards of teaching delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum, and positive working relationships with all members of the academy community, all students, regardless of their background or personal circumstances, are encouraged to achieve their academic aspirations. We believe that schools must teach powerful knowledge that takes students beyond their everyday experiences. We believe in a traditional, subject-based approach to teaching in order to create a scholarly culture that is disciplined and joyful. We want to ensure that we open doors for every students’ future and develop in them a life-long love of learning.
We are committed to developing our staff to be the very best that they can be by striving to ensure that all of our colleagues can access high-quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Our CPD programme is both department-based and in collaboration with academies within the Astrea family and external partners. Wide-ranging opportunities for professional development are available for staff at all stages of their career, including ECTs, experienced classroom teachers, middle and senior leaders and support staff.
School location
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