Principal

The Vale Academy, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4QP

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  5 May 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  17 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £73,790.00 - £81,411.00 Annually (Actual) AS Leadership 15-19 £73,790-£81,411 dependent on experience

Principal job summary

Principal

The Vale Academy (TVA) is a 3 form entry primary school that offers a warm, welcoming, and academic learning environment for children aged 2-11. We are proud of the strong foundations we have in place: our dedicated pupils, expert teachers and supportive parents form a community that is committed to excellence in all areas of education. We believe every child deserves an outstanding education that rivals the very best and are driven by this ambition.

Due to the relocation of our current Principal, we are seeking an exceptional candidate to provide the very highest quality of leadership and to take TVA on the journey to being the very best. Working closely with the Trust’s Executive Team, the successful candidate will provide visible, expert leadership, driving excellence in teaching, learning and pupil performance across the school.

This is a pivotal role in our trust's leadership; our vision is that The Vale Academy will be a model of exemplary practice within our high performing trust, and the right candidate has the opportunity to shape our future with drive and ambition.

We are looking for a leader who will build on the good work at The Vale Academy to take the school to the next stage in its development by:

Leading from the front with a positive and proactive attitude.

Being highly visible to the school community.

Creating a culture where pupils meet high expectations and thrive in a safe, focused learning environment.

Knowing great curricula and implementing a high-quality curriculum for all.

Being consistent and level-headed.

Leading The Vale Academy to be a model of excellence.

Ensuring the highest standards of behaviour.

Building trust through strong relationships with pupils, families, staff and the local community.

If you share our vision for education and are passionate about maximising educational attainment and standards to ensure all pupils reach their full potential, you will be well-placed to join our school and make a difference. You will be supported by inspirational and dynamic peers in a forward-thinking and progressive trust.

Please view the Advantage Schools prospectus here: Overview - Advantage Schools

School visits and discussions with the CEO are warmly welcomed.

Job specifics

Start Date 1st September 2026

Salary AS Leadership 15-19 £73,790-£81,411

This reflects our desire to appoint the best candidate available.

Why work for Advantage Schools?

The opportunity to lead a school to achieve the highest of standards as part of an ambitious trust.

Be valued as a high-profile leader within the trust, benefitting from the collaborative support of our network of principals and the wider trust education team.

You’ll be working alongside a collaborative, forward thinking leadership team.

Unparalleled CPD opportunities.

A fantastic school ethos where children, staff and parents/carers are highly supportive.

Staff benefits that make a difference to your work life balance.

Safeguarding

We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as:

“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date

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

Advantage Schools is committed to safeguarding and child protection at every stage of the recruitment process.

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 The Vale Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 602 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Vale Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-vale-academy

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