Principal

Montsaye Academy; Rothwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Montsaye Academy in Northamptonshire is seeking an inspiring Principal to lead the next phase of development and secure high standards for all pupils. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision, energy and a drive to drive sustained improvement in attainment and behaviour.

Reporting to United Learning's Regional Director, you will work with staff, pupils and families to improve outcomes, raise aspirations and ensure fairness, diversity and inclusion across the school.

Qualifications

• Strong track record of improving young people's education and driving transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead Montsaye Academy to secure high standards and sustained improvement in attainment and behaviour.
• Work with staff, pupils and families to raise aspirations and ensure fairness, diversity and inclusion across the school.

Job description

Principal at Montsaye Academy

• Job Reference #: EDV/2026/MA/06893
• Location: Greening Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 6BB
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Contract Term: Full-Time
• Closing Date: 9:00am, Tue 20th Oct, 2026
• Positions Available: 1

About this Role

Montsaye Academy is a vibrant, inclusive and ambitious 11-18 school serving the small market towns of Rothwell and Desborough, and surrounding villages in Northamptonshire. Guided by the values of Respect, Honesty and Compassion, it offers a warm, supportive and aspirational environment underpinned by a broad curriculum and strong enrichment opportunities.

The Academy joined United Learning in late 2025, marking an important step in its development and strengthening the work already underway. Staff and pupils have shown real commitment in rebuilding consistency, improving behaviour and raising expectations. The school's improvement journey is underway. Attainment has improved in each of the last two years, more children are making Montsaye Academy their first choice of school, and the sixth form is growing.

We are now seeking an inspiring Principal to lead this next phase of development. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision, high expectations and the ability to drive sustained improvement at pace. As a values-led leader, you will be able to build trust, motivate staff and secure the highest standards for all pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping Montsaye Academy move confidently into its next chapter.

United Learning is a big group of schools - with over 75,000 pupils and more than 10,000 staff - so we have the capacity to support you educationally and operationally. At the same time, we are values-led and base all that we do on good relationships. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will be supported both personally and professionally, benefitting from the strength of a national group supporting your development and that of your staff and school.

We are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusion. We are currently working hard to improve representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at headship level and to raise our proportion of women leaders to match their representation in our wider workforce.

Whoever you are, if you have a strong track record of improving young people's education and a drive to do more, we very much look forward to hearing from you.