Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) (Maternity Cover)

LeighAcademiesTrust; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership Scale

Teacher Pension Scheme

24/7 access to a free virtual GP

collaborative MAT network

LAT benefits

Job summary

Leigh Academy Tonbridge is seeking an Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) to drive strategic improvement in the secondary phase, with line management responsibility for the English department. This is a rare leadership opportunity within Leigh Academies Trust, offering collaboration across a mature multi-academy network and secure central support.

The successful candidate will join a supportive team, deliver high standards, and help shape school culture and ethos so that every

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic leadership and management in secondary education.
• Proven track record of raising standards.
• English subject specialist with line management responsibility for the English department.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Tonbridge and drive the next phase of the academy’s development.
• Take on line management for the English department and collaborate with the Vice Principal.
• Work with senior leadership to develop school culture and ethos to help every student reach their potential.
• Engage with stakeholders across Leigh Academies Trust to ensure cross-school collaboration.

Skills

English

Job description

Leadership Scale + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Leigh Academy Tonbridge, a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success. This role is situated within the secondary phase of the academy.

The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards. As a vital requirement for this role, you will be an English subject specialist who will take on line management responsibility for the English department. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Tonbridge even further, whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development.

We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are:

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at secondary level;
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff;
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school;
• able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance;
• approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success;
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.
• a subject specialist in English.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Note that whilst the position is offered on a maternity cover basis, every effort will be made to offer a substantive position thereafter, either at Leigh Academy Tonbridge or within the wider family of academies across Leigh Academies Trust. The central Recruitment Team will keep in touch with you throughout your contract to discuss options available to you.

Applying for this Opportunity

Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.

On the basis that interested candidates may be keen to visit the academy before making a formal application, you can arrange this by contacting Becky Green (Office Manager) - [e-mail]. Visits will be offered and will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Becky a range of dates when you are available in your initial email to ensure we can coordinate a visit that works for both you and the academy.

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with the SLT about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Becky Green (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date: Monday 23rd November 2026

Shortlisting date: Tuesday 24th November 2026

Interview date: Friday 27th November 2026

Start date: April 2027

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Amy Wenban (LAT Recruitment Team) on 01634 412 205 or [e-mail].

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity relevant to children, and it is a criminal offence for anyone barred from engaging in regulated activity with children to apply for this position.
We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates, and you can read more about our approach on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role, regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices, and not discriminating on any grounds.