Assistant Principal (Attendance)

Inspiration Trust; Tetford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

TPS pension scheme

Health plan and wellbeing support

Cycle-to-work and discounts

Free parking at most sites

Structured induction and CPD

Job summary

The Thetford Academy, part of Inspiration Trust, seeks an Assistant Principal to lead attendance and drive an ambitious vision for an academically rigorous school.

You will join the Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement an attendance strategy, analyse data, and model high standards of conduct, respect and inclusion for pupils and staff alike.

Qualifications

• An appropriate degree and Qualified Teacher Status.
• Proven teacher, leader and educational strategist at the appropriate phase.
• Proven experience of raising attendance standards through collaboration.
• Experience with performance management and self-evaluation processes.
• Experience leading pedagogical changes at team or whole-school level.
• Proven ability to motivate staff to high standards.
• Postgraduate qualification or working towards.
• Direct and successful experience of Ofsted inspections.

Responsibilities

• Work with SLT to achieve excellent attendance across the school.
• Lead attendance strategy development, implementation and review.
• Collaborate with Attendance Officer, SENDCo and Safeguarding Lead to address pupil needs.
• Lead personal development within the Academy.
• Analyse performance data and generate stakeholder reports.
• Develop, embed and maintain equality, diversity and inclusion strategies.
• Coordinate with external agencies to safeguard pupils.
• Undertake line management as directed by the Principal/VP.

Skills

Degree & QTS

Leadership experience

Attendance strategy

Performance management

Pedagogic change leadership

Staff development

Postgraduate progress

Ofsted experience

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Postgraduate qualification or working towards

Job description

Full Time, Permanent

Start Date: January 2027

This role will be based at Thetford Academy, Croxton Road, Thetford, IP24 1LH.

Thetford Academy is seeking to appoint an Assistant Principal at our thriving school. This is an opportunity to be part of a team on an exciting journey, who are dedicated to ensuring students develop the knowledge and character needed to lead great lives.

To achieve these aspirational goals, we must have excellent standards of attendance. We are looking for a leader who shares that belief to join our Senior Leadership Team as an Assistant Principal responsible for attendance.

The successful candidate will be passionate about our vision of creating a truly academic school and embrace our school ethos of genuine mutual respect.

What You’ll Be Doing

• To work with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to achieve excellent attendance across the school.
• To lead the Academy attendance strategy including the development, implementation and regular view of an attendance strategy document and accompanying development plans.
• To liaise effectively with the Attendance Officer, SENDCo and Safeguarding Lead to ensure that pupil needs are addressed as required.
• To lead personal development in the Academy.
• To lead on the analysis of performance data for areas within this remit and generate reports and commentaries as required for various stakeholders.
• To lead the Academy in developing, embedding and maintaining equality, diversity and inclusion in all activities.
• To work with all necessary external agencies to ensure pupils are safe, cared for and supported.
• To undertake line management as directed by the Principal and/or Vice Principal.

About You:

An outstanding Assistant Principal for attendance is a visionary leader with strong leadership, resilience, and a commitment to fostering a positive, safe, and inclusive school culture. You must exhibit strategic thinking to manage student conduct, effective conflict resolution skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to build, model, and maintain high standards of attendance among students and staff.

You will be a highly effective coach and mentor, inspiring teachers to refine their practice through constructive feedback, professional development, and collaborative learning.

Above all, you must be passionate about education, relentlessly focused on improving outcomes for every pupil and empowering teachers to deliver exceptional learning experiences.

• An appropriate degree and Qualified Teacher Status
• Proven teacher, leader and educational strategist at appropriate phase level
• Proven experience of raising standards of attendance through innovative and collaborative practice
• Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process / annual development plan
• Successful experience in leading and managing pedagogic changes at a team, and preferably whole school level
• Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve high standards
• Postgraduate qualification or working towards
• Direct and successful experience of Ofsted inspection

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.

* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Thetford Academy is a remarkable place to work and sits at the academic and cultural heart of its community. Our pupils follow a curriculum designed to prepare them for future challenges while fostering a deep appreciation and understanding of the world. They are supported in developing strong values and habits that empower them to make meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.

Joining Thetford Academy means becoming part of a committed, supportive, and ambitious team. Staff benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, collaborative networks, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people. If you are passionate about education and inspiring students to achieve their full potential, this is the place to grow your career.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.

The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Thetford, click here . In its 2025 inspection, Ofsted confirmed that The Thetford Academy has continued to provide a high-quality education, with excellent behaviour, a well-sequenced curriculum and impressive personal development opportunities. Pupils are proud to attend the school, feel safe, and benefit from committed staff and strong leadership.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration 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 staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.

Next Steps

Closing date for applications: 12noon on Wednesday 30th September 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 13th October 2026

For further information about this vacancy please contact us using Ref: SEP20261355 .