Principal

Teaching Vacancies; Dartford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Dartford is looking for an ambitious Principal for Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy. The ideal candidate will have a strong leadership background in secondary education, a commitment to improving student life chances, and enthusiasm for working in a multicultural setting. The role offers a six-figure salary, performance bonuses, and private healthcare, along with an opportunity for career progression within a supportive multi-academy trust environment.

Benefits

Six figure salary

Performance bonus

Private healthcare

Collaborative MAT network

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record of success at secondary level.
• Experience in raising educational standards in urban environments.
• Ability to establish relationships with community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy with a clear vision.
• Develop a positive school culture fostering student success.
• Collaborate with other Principals to share best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Curriculum Development

Community Engagement

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Senior Leadership Experience

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are now recruiting for a Principal for Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy. This is a truly rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader to join the flagship academy and 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. We are looking for someone who is ambitious for the children of Dartford, to enhance their life chances and provide a bright future for them and their families.

You will already be an exceptional senior leader at a successful secondary school with real ambition to improve the life chances of the students at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy. Experience in raising educational standards in an urban community, including pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds would be attractive. We will expect the Principal to further develop a positive culture and ethos where each child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way.

We wish to hear from you if you really want to change 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;
• a passion for working in an urban, multicultural setting; and
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

What the school offers its staff

Six Figure Salary + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

What we can offer you

• a six figure salary along with private healthcare and an opportunity to earn a performance bonus;
• an exciting LAT career path with opportunities for further progression in the future;
• security and support on your journey from close collaboration with a small central executive and a larger group of talented Principals to share best practice and innovation.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack 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.

Further details about the role

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 Jo Johnson via email: [e-mail]. Visits will be offered in early‑January and will be hosted by Tracey Trusler, Academies Director, or a member of the senior leadership team. Please ensure you offer Jo 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 our Trust Academies Director, Tracey Trusler, about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Jo Johnson via email: [e-mail] in the first instance.

Closing date: Wednesday 21st January 2026, (9am)
Shortlisting date: Wednesday 21st January 2026, (PM)
Interview date: Thursday 29th, and Friday 30th January 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Charlotte Herberts (LAT Recruitment Team) on 01634 412 245 or [e-mail].

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.