Principal

Salford City Academy, Manchester, M30 7PQ

33 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  4 May 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  1 April 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: Competitive salary plus benefits package

What skills and experience we're looking for

This is a thriving and ambitious 11–16 school at the heart of the Peel Green community in Eccles, with a strong reputation for high standards, exceptional care, and a commitment to offering every pupil a rich and well-rounded education. As part of United Learning, the Academy is driven by the Trust’s ethos of 'The Best in Everyone',reflectedina knowledge-rich curriculum, strong outcomes, and positive relationships throughout the school.

With the previous Principal, Mel Haselden, moving on to a promoted role within the Trust, this is an exciting opportunity to lead an inclusive and values-driven school at a key moment in its development. You will inherit a committed staff team, a vibrant culture of character education and enrichment, and strong community partnerships, including a flourishing community hub and collaborative links across the Salford cluster.

Leading the Academy into its next phase will require a leader who combines strategic insight with moral purpose, respecting what is already strong and contributing ambition, integrity, and drive to its future direction.

United Learning is a big group of schools – with over 75,000 pupils and more than 10,000 staff – so we have the capacity to support you educationally and operationally. At the same time, we are values-led and base all that we do on good relationships. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will be supported both personally and professionally, benefitting from the strength of a national group supporting your development and that of your staff and school.

We are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusion. We are currently working hard to improve representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at headship level and to raise our proportion of women leaders to match their representation in our wider workforce. Whoever you are, if you have a strong track record of improving young people’s education and a drive to do more, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

If you wish to discover more about this exciting opportunity, arrange a visit or would like to have an informal discussion please contact our Head of Leadership Recruitment, Geoff Morris by email ongeoff.morris@unitedlearning.org.ukor by phone on 07811 345 638

What the school offers its staff

High Standards and a Knowledge Rich Curriculum

The Academy works hard to deliver a knowledge-rich and valuesdriven

curriculum, which is reflected in a performance profile that has

strengthened over time, and pupils are achieving some of the highest

GCSE results in the area. Staff strive to achieve the best for their pupils,

and staff-student relationships are positive. Inclusive and caring, it aims

to live the United Learning values of ‘bringing out the best in everyone’

and prides itself on being warm, welcoming, and supportive whilst

maintaining high standards for all.

Character Education Through ASPIRE

In addition to academic success, Salford City Academy offers an exciting

character education programme called ASPIRE. Character is taught,

modelled, and practised through every part of academy life and is

visible in their REACT values: Responsibility, Excellence, Aspiration,

Commitment, and Teamwork.

Through ASPIRE, pupils can access a wide range of enrichment

opportunities, including an inspiring career development programme

working in partnership with organisations such as ITV and Farrat

Engineering, and a dedicated STEM Pioneer programme designed to

stretch high-achieving pupils.

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.

Terms & Conditions of Employment

Employer

United Learning

Position

Principal, Salford City Academy

Reporting Line

Regional Director, Secondary Academies

Location

Salford City Academy or such other nearby place operated by the school or to which the school may relocate.

Start Date

September 2026

Starting Salary

The salary will be commensurate with the significance and importance of the post and the experience of the successful candidate. Pay is above STPCD with additional increases for excellent performance.

Holidays

You are entitled to take holidays during the normal school holidays except where your presence is required for proper execution of your duties as Principal. United Learning would expect you would not have less than six weeks of the year without any work involvement.

Staff are guaranteed one paid personal day off each year.

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

The Principal is eligible to be a member of the TPS.

Health Insurance

The Principal is eligible to be a member of United Learning’s medical insurance scheme, currently with BUPA. It is also possible for other family members to be included within the policy but, when this happens, there is a charge.

Ill Health

United Learning’s sick leave and pay policy will apply. The policy allows for a three years’ sliding qualification period, at the end of which you will be entitled to full pay for 100 working days and half pay for 100 working days.

Relocation

Assistance with relocation is negotiable and may be available up

to a maximum of £8,000 on the basis of receipts relating to actual relevant expenditure.

Safeguarding

United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS Check, medical clearance, online checks and employment references, all of which are satisfactory to United Learning.

Benefits

We encourage flexible working and offer opportunities where it meets the needs of the role. We also have a wide range of benefits, including a Health Cash Plan which gives you money back on essential healthcare, discount schemes that save you money, as well as access to an Employee Assistance Programme, discounted gym memberships, cycle purchase and car leasing.

The finalPerson Specification

Education and Training

Educational and professional qualifications appropriate for the role of Principal of the school. Such qualifications would normally include a degree from a recognised university, professional qualifications (for example PGCE) and ideally a further post graduate qualification;

Evidence of professional development across career to date.

Experience

Demonstrable success in a leadership role in a comparable organisation and through significant periods of development;

A proven track record of securing excellence in an educational establishment;

A proven track record in rapidly raising pupils’ achievements;

Evidence of the ability to develop excellent relationships with staff, members of the local community, parents and pupils (across key stages);

Experience in leading and developing colleagues and effective teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualities

An in-depth understanding of school leadership and school improvement needed to achieve outstanding pupil progress and personal development;

The ability to create and implement effective management systems in which roles, responsibilities and accountabilities are clearly articulated;

An understanding of the importance of research in developing approaches to learning and curriculum design and the ability to put this into practice;

An understanding of expectations of all phases of education, from early years through to Post-16;

A thorough understanding of school markets, the analysis required to develop those and the skills to implement successful marketing strategies.

Personal Qualities

A clear understanding of and commitment to the development of the United Learning values, the United Learning Way, and the Framework for Excellence;

Belief in equality of opportunities for all pupils and staff regardless of culture, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious identity;

Clarity of vision with the ability to communicate it in a compelling and engaging way;

An adaptable leadership style which encourages leadership from others and celebrates success;

Determination and resilience;

Sensitivity and wisdom in managing relationships with pupils, parents and staff;

High level interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity to influence at all levels;

High expectations of pupil achievement, conduct and behaviour;

A commitment to collaborative working, both within the school and across the Group;

Openness, sense of humour, energy and enthusiasmPeople Leadership and Management

Leading on all staffing issues, including the appointment and development of staff;

Ensuring a culture of working together to achieve high standards throughout the school;

Promoting staff well-being within the Framework for Excellence;

Managing performance and ensuring that staff receive appropriate support in order to achieve excellence;

Leading reflective practice and inspirational professional development that enables all members of staff to flourish;

Promoting equality and fairness for all staff;

Taking responsibility for one’s own professional development as the Principal.

Financial and Business Management

Working closely with the Executive Business Manager and finance colleagues to ensure budgets are set and managed within guidelines agreed with the LGB and the Group through the Regional Director and Chief Financial Officer;

Monitoring actual spending against budget;

Monitoring and evaluating the impact of funding to support the progress and achievement of priority groups including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, or those eligible for pupil premium funding;

Implementing key Group-wide policies and strategies (e.g. in relation to Compliance, Finance, HR and Technology);

Ensuring that efficient administrative systems are implemented and managed;

Managing, maintaining and utilising the site and facilities to their full value to the Academy, the Group and the community;

Ensuring that health and safety and safeguarding policies are managed and implemented.

Links with Community and Business

Developing strong and effective partnerships with parents;

Developing a thriving sense of school community to include present and past pupils and parents;

Creating proactive, entrepreneurial and effective links with the wider community;

Making a strategic contribution to the development of the Group;

Developing strong and effective partnerships with local primary schools, colleges and universities;

Ensuring that the school contributes to United Learning cluster initiatives.

Reporting

The Principal of Salford City Academy reports to the Regional Director who reports to the National Director of Secondary Education of United Learning, who is responsible to the overarching Charity Board through the Chief Executive.

The LGB, and its Chair in particular, will also work closely with the Principal in relation to its responsibilities to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school. This relationship with the Chair and LGB will be key to driving the school forward and further developing local partnerships.

The Principal will keep the Regional Director fully informed on the progress of the school and will submit reports for consideration as appropriate. The Principal will participate in an annual performance review as part of the agreed appraisal process.Broadly, the responsibilities of the role are as detailed below:

Educational Leadership and Management

Ensuring excellent academic outcomes in all key stages;

Developing outstanding teaching and learning for all pupils;

Embedding an aspirational and innovative culture of learning;

Implementing a rigorous system of monitoring to evaluate the work of the school;

Securing and maintaining high standards across the whole school;

Embedding a fulfilling and enriching curriculum for all children;

Setting and achieving aspirational targets for all pupils that ensure rapid progress to become an outstanding school;

Ensuring the welfare and safety of all pupils from all groups, including their safeguarding.

Strategic Leadership and Management

Leading the implementation of The United Learning Way, which outlines the guiding educational principles of our Trust, throughout Salford City Academy.

Defining and delivering the vision and objectives of the school and the School Strategic Plan as agreed with the LGB and the Regional Director;

Leading the school in partnership with the LGB and United Learning senior leaders;

Developing and maintaining the values of United Learning within the school;

Contributing professionally to the broader United Learning agenda.

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.

Salford City Academy Principal pack_Apr26.pdf - 2.9 MB (opens in new tab)

About Salford City Academy

• School type: Academy, Christian, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 891 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Salford City Academy website
• Email address: philippa.beckett@unitedlearning.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/salford-city-academy

Arranging a visit to Salford City Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email philippa.beckett@unitedlearning.org.uk.

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