Principal

Orion Spires, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0HD

19 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  13 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  20 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Competitive
• Additional allowances:

  Competitive

Principal job summary

At Orion Spires, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and aspirational environment in which every student can thrive academically, socially and personally. We believe deeply in the power of education to transform life chances, nurturing confident young people who go on to make a positive and meaningful contribution to their communities.

Orion Spires is at a pivotal point in its journey. With improving outcomes and attendance, the school is well placed to build further momentum and deliver consistently strong outcomes for all students within an engaging, enriching and caring environment.

As Principal, you will play a central role in shaping the future of the school. You will bring dynamic, decisive and empowering leadership, underpinned by relentlessly high expectations. You will unite staff behind a clear and compelling vision, build strong, high-performing teams, and foster a culture in which everyone is supported and challenged to be their best.

We are seeking a leader who understands what it takes to move a good school to greatness — someone who can build on strong foundations, bring the community with them, and lead sustained improvement in teaching and learning. You will drive an ambitious curriculum, secure a shared understanding of excellent classroom practice, and provide strategic direction through bespoke professional development and instructional coaching. Staff wellbeing and development will be a clear priority, with a strong commitment to growing talent and leadership capacity across the school.

In return, Orion Education offers exceptional leadership development and genuine opportunities for career progression within the school and across the Trust.

We have high expectations of behaviour and conduct, ensuring that the school remains calm, orderly and focused on learning. As Principal, you will further strengthen our pastoral and behaviour systems, maintaining a culture of safety, respect and ambition. In January 2023, Ofsted recognised that “lessons are calm and orderly”. As the school approaches inspection under the new framework, we are ambitious for Orion Spires not just to succeed, but to flourish.

To find out more about the role and the application process we recommend that in the first instance you contact our recruitment partners Propelo on 01273 222877, email orionedu@propelo.co.uk or by visiting https://orionedu.our-careers.co.uk.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement.

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.

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

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.

About Orion Spires

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 667 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Orion Spires website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/spires-academy

At Spires Academy we offer a distinctive small school environment where each individual is well known, listened to and encouraged to be the best they can be. Serving just over 600 students enables us to maintain an inclusive and nurturing community atmosphere, where staff work with students to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to reach their full potential.

School location

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