Principal

Upwell Academy, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 9EW

23 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  9 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  12 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £71,330 to £78,702

What skills and experience we're looking for

As a strategic leader of Upwell Academy, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, development and performance of the academy within the Trust.

The role as Principal is pivotal to ensuring high quality teaching, a rich and ambitious curriculum, and a positive, inclusive culture where every pupil can thrive. Our Principals uphold the highest standards of public service, role models EMAT values and ensures the academy delivers excellent education, continuous improvement, and strong community engagement.

This role works in partnership and close collaboration with staff, academy committee members and the wider Trust stakeholders to ensure the academy’s success and that both pupils and staff can achieve their full potential.

You will provide visible and professional leadership and management that secures successful and continuous academy improvement through formulating, implementing and evaluating the impact of the agreed Academy Development and Improvement plans.

About You

• Lead with vision and purpose setting high expectations, driving school improvement, and ensuring the academy continually moves forward in line with Trust priorities and the Academy Development Plan.

• Champion excellent teaching and learning modelling strong educational practice, raising standards, and ensuring every child experiences ahighquality, inclusive curriculum.

• Secure the wellbeing and progress of all pupils including those withadditionalneeds or disadvantages, using data and professional insight to ensure no learner is left behind.

• Be a strategic and accountable leader effectively managing financial,humanand physical resources tomaintaina sustainable,highperformingacademy.

• Inspire,supportand develop staff building a collaborative culture where people feel valued,motivatedand empowered to give their best.

• Build strong relationships beyond the school engaging positively with parents, governors, thecommunityand external partners to strengthen the academy’s role locally.

• Model safeguarding excellence placing the safety and welfare of pupils at the heart of all decisions, ensuring full adherence to policy,practiceand statutory duties.

• Lead with ethics and integrity consistentlydemonstratinginclusive leadership and upholding the Seven Principles of Public Life.

What the school offers its staff

At Eastern Multi-Academy Trust (EMAT), we believe that every child deserves an excellent education – and that starts with exceptional staff.

Upwell Academy is a long established, community centred primary school rooted in our village, reaching for the future. Founded in 1878, our original school house still forms the heart of the building, complemented by modern developments including a new hall (2006), refurbished learning spaces, and additional Key Stage 2 classrooms that provide an excellent learning environment.

We are a caring, inclusive academy sponsored by the Eastern Multi Academy Trust, committed to valuing every child, respecting differences, and celebrating diversity. Our pupils’ emotional, physical, intellectual and social development is supported through high quality teaching and a nurturing ethos.

Today we serve around180 pupils aged 4–11, supported by extensive outdoor areas including a playing field and gardens that enrich learning. We are proud of our heritage and ambitious for the future — ready to welcome a Principal who will lead our academy forward while honouring the strong community spirit that defines us.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Eastern Multi-Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check (with Children’s Barred List where applicable), satisfactory references and medical clearance.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer, committed to equity, representation and belonging. We value the diversity of our workforce and believe that different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives strengthen our schools and enrich our communities.

We actively welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups, and from candidates who are neurodiverse. If you require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please let us know, we are committed to making reasonable adjustments so that everyone can perform at their best.

We also welcome applications for part-time, flexible and job-share working, where this can be accommodated within the role.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Upwell Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 192 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Upwell Academy website
• Email address: Peopleadvisoryservices@eastern-mat.co.uk
• Phone number: 01553603017
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/upwell-academy

Arranging a visit to Upwell Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email Peopleadvisoryservices@eastern-mat.co.uk.

School location

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