Principal

Sharnbrook Academy, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 1JL

22 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January or April 2027

• Closing date

  2 October 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  10 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £126,587.00 - £139,581.00 Annually (Actual)

Principal job summary

Vacancy for a Principal at Sharnbrook Academy

Salary: Meridian Trust Band 10, Points 36-40 £126,587-£139,581

We are seeking an ambitious and compassionate Principal for Sharnbrook Academy As part of Meridian Trust, you will shape the next phase of the school’s development, driving excellence in an inclusive and thriving school community. If you share our values and vision and are excited to work for Meridian Trust in the service of the community of Sharnbrook Academy, we would welcome your application.

For more information about the role please download the applicant information pack below. We warmly welcome candidates to visit our school and have set dates available. If you wish to visit our school on, Monday 21st September 09:00-15:00, Wednesday 23rd September 12:00-15:00 or Tuesday 29th September 09:00-13:00 please contact recruitment@meridiantrust.co.uk. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate other dates.

The Opportunity

• Establish effective curricular leadership, developing subject leaders with high levels of relevant expertise with access to professional networks and communities.
• Promote positive and respectful relationships across the school community and a safe, orderly and inclusive environment.
• Ensure teaching is underpinned by high levels of subject expertise and approaches which respect the distinct nature of subject disciplines or specialist domains.
• Ensure that adults within the school model and teach the behaviour of a good citizen.
• Commit their school to work successfully with other schools and organisations in a climate of mutual challenge and support.

The ideal candidate

• Evidence as an outstanding leader in a senior leadership role.
• Evidence of both curricular and pastoral responsibilities.
• Ability to foster and promote good relationships with all stakeholders.
• Think creatively and collegiately to solve problems and identify opportunities.
• Commitment to continual improvement and challenging norms.

About Sharnbrook Academy

Sharnbrook Academy is a very successful 11-18 comprehensive school located in North Bedfordshire, with a longstanding reputation for high student achievement. We pride ourselves on our rigorous academic standards, good behaviour and excellent teaching and learning. We believe that all students can achieve and we encourage them to become lifelong learners, challenging and supporting them to realise their potential. As a result, our students regularly attain excellent examination results at the end of Key Stage Four. Our students’ GCSE results in 2024 were well above the national average at all grade boundaries and our best results since becoming a secondary school, which is testament both to the hard work and attitude of our students, and the tireless efforts of our expert teaching staff.

We want our students to feel safe, happy and enjoy school and this aim is reflected in everything we do. Our ambition is that our students leave school having fulfilled their academic potential and, just as importantly, that they have developed into thoughtful, responsible citizens who are ready to make a positive difference to the world around them.

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension schem
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.

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 Sharnbrook Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1684 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Sharnbrook Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/sharnbrook-academy

Sharnbrook Academy is a member of the Sharnbrook Academy Federation multi-academy trust. Our academy is set in attractive rural surroundings and provides excellent opportunities for pupils aged 11 to 18. We are proud to be part of an organisation where students thrive in lessons and make significant contributions to the wider life of the school through extracurricular activities, work in the community and by participating in local and national competitions. Student behaviour is exemplary, and the climate for learning is vibrant and inclusive.

School location

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