Assistant Principal

The Leigh Academy; Borstal; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teacher Pension Scheme

24/7 virtual GP Service

MAT network

Job summary

The Leigh Academy in Rochester is seeking an Assistant Principal to join its leadership team. You will combine a Year 1 teaching role with leadership of Phonics and Personal Development across the academy.

You will set high standards for teaching, plan lessons that drive strong progress, and model best practice for staff. Experience with Steplab and Phonics International is beneficial.

Qualifications

• When applying, you should have strong leadership experience in a primary setting.
• You will lead Phonics for early reading and track pupil progress.
• You will coach and develop staff within the leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Year 1 class teaching role while overseeing Phonics and Personal Development.
• Set high teaching standards and model good practice for colleagues.
• Lead and develop others using evidence to drive improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Phonics

Early reading

Coaching

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Steplab platform

Phonics International

Job description

Assistant Principal

CAPTION:

• Company: Teaching Vacancies
• Salary: Not specified
• Hours: Full-time
• Location: Rochester, ME3 9HR
• Job type: Permanent
• Posting date: 8 Oct 2026
• Closing date: 13 Oct 2026

Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

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

Leigh Academy Peninsula East is looking for an Assistant Principal to join its leadership team. You will combine a Year 1 class teaching role with leadership of Phonics and Personal Development across the academy.

As a Year 1 teacher, you will set a high standard for teaching and learning. You will plan and deliver lessons that help every child make strong progress, and you will model effective practice for colleagues. Experience of coaching and the Steplab platform would be helpful.

As Phonics Lead, you will lead the academy's approach to early reading. You will make sure phonics is taught consistently and well, track pupils' progress and put support in place for those who fall behind. You will train and support staff so that every child learns to read with confidence.

As Personal Development Lead, you will shape the academy's work beyond the classroom. This includes pupils' wellbeing, character, and their understanding of themselves and the world around them. You will make sure this work is well planned, inclusive and has a clear impact on pupils. You will be actively involved in working with a variety of stakeholders and developing the school's cultural capital days.

We are looking for an experienced, skilled primary teacher with a strong knowledge of early reading and phonics- experience with Phonics International would also be beneficial. You will be able to lead and develop others, use evidence to drive improvement and work well as part of a leadership team.

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 primary level;
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff and pupils;
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the academy;
• 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.

What the school offers its staff

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.

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.

Closing date: Tuesday 13th October 2026, 9am
Shortlisting date: Tuesday 13th October 2026
Interview date: Thursday 15th October 2026