Principal

Teaching Vacancies; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Maidstone, England, is seeking a committed and passionate Principal to start in September 2026. This role comes with a six-figure salary, private healthcare, and opportunities for a performance bonus. As Principal, you will work with an exceptional team to provide outstanding educational opportunities, focusing on personalized education within an inspiring environment. You will drive the vision and mission of the academy as part of a collaborative network of schools.

Benefits

Six-figure salary

Private healthcare

Performance bonus opportunities

Collaborative network support

Qualifications

• Understanding of educational excellence for pupils with special educational needs is essential.
• Proven track record of supporting young people to reach their full potential.
• Ability to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding educational opportunities for all pupils.
• Support and develop a curriculum focused on student wellbeing.
• Positively impact children's life chances and potential.

Skills

Ambitious school leader

Motivational and inspirational leadership

Exceptional pastoral leadership

Outstanding communication skills

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We wish to hear from you if you really want to change our education world and are:

• an ambitious school leader with an understanding of and passion for providing educational excellence for pupils with special educational needs
• a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff
• confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school
• able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders
• proven track record of supporting young people to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance
• exceptional pastoral leadership skills with a focus on student wellbeing and development
• outstanding communication skills to inspire and engage students, staff, and parents

What the school offers its staff

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.

Further details about the role

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

Leigh Academy Snowfields (Bearsted, Cranbrook and Minster Colleges) has an exceptional opportunity for a committed, enthusiastic and passionate Principal to join us from September 2026. Joining us will enable you to work with like‑minded colleagues who share your goals and ambitions. You will be part of a team that provides outstanding educational opportunities for all of our pupils through creative, carefully sequenced and highly effective and adaptable lines of inquiry where all learners are at the very core of driving our curriculum.

This position offers a unique leadership opportunity for those who are inspired to positively impact upon children’s life chances and potential. Leigh Academy Snowfields delivers the best personalised education within an inspiring learning environment. Our students are supported by exceptional staff who provide a vital balance of care, challenge, and support. Our core values – Work Hard, Be Kind, Communicate, Stay Safe, and Be Happy – are central to our ethos, curriculum, and culture. We strive daily to embody our motto: Where Nurture Meets Aspiration, helping every student to thrive.

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 Amanda Gobell, PA to the Principal, via email: [e-mail]. Visits will be offered in early January 2026 and will be hosted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure you offer Amanda 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, Emma Elwin, about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Molly Allen via email: [e-mail] in the first instance.

Closing date: Monday 19th January 2026 (9 am)
Shortlisting date: Monday 19th January (PM)
Interview date: Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th January 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor) on 01634 412 205 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.