Principal

Eastwick Infant School; Great Bookham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastwick Infant School in Leatherhead is seeking an inspirational Principal to lead a joined early years and primary journey for children and families. You will be a visible, relational leader, set high expectations, and drive continuous improvement across 2-11 provision including a new on-site nursery.

You will have a proven track record of improving education, developing staff and leading meaningful change, with the ability to build strong relationships with parents and the wider community.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of improving education and developing staff.
• Ability to lead meaningful change across a joined early years and primary journey.
• Experience as Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher with strategic vision and stability.

Responsibilities

• Provide stability, direction and leadership for Eastwick Schools.
• Lead a connected 2–11 educational journey including the new nursery.
• Engage with parents and the wider community to realise potential and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Education leadership

Change management

Education

Headteacher experience

Deputy Headteacher experience

Job description

Do you have the vision, ambition and leadership to take Eastwick Schools into its next chapter?

Eastwick Schools is a vibrant community in Leatherhead, bringing together provision for children aged 2-11. With our new on-site nursery joining our established Infant and Junior schools, this is an exciting opportunity to lead a connected early years and primary journey for children and families.

We are looking for an inspirational Principal who can provide the stability, direction and leadership needed to realise Eastwick's considerable potential. With excellent facilities, a rich extra-curricular offer and established specialist provision for children with autism and associated social-communication needs through our Rainbow Centre and The Ark, this is a school with much to build on.

Our new nursery, opening in September 2026 with 30 places and capacity to grow to 60, creates an exciting opportunity to strengthen our early years offer and develop a coherent 2-11 educational journey.

As Principal, you will be a visible, inspirational and relational leader, accessible to parents and engaged with the wider community. You will be passionate about teaching and learning, set high expectations and build a culture of strong relationships, accountability and continuous improvement. You will have a proven track record of improving education, developing staff and leading meaningful change.

We are seeking an experienced Headteacher or ambitious Deputy Headteacher/Vice Principal who can combine warmth with ambition, champion inclusion and provide the long‑term stability Eastwick now needs.

As part of THPT Schools, you will benefit from strong leadership support, expertise and collaboration, alongside the autonomy to shape Eastwick's future and make a genuine and lasting difference.

As a Partnership School, we are dedicated to providing a great place to work where staff and students thrive together. If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of our students, we would love to hear from you.

All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.

The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.