Principal (Mulberry Academy Hastings)

East Sussex County Council; Playden; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mulberry Academy Hastings seeks an exceptional Principal to shape the future of a thriving school community within the Mulberry Schools Trust. This leadership role focuses on students at the centre of every decision, supported by a strong network of Trust principals and schools across the region.

You will drive excellence, inclusion and transformational education, building teams, developing opportunities and sustaining high expectations for all learners.

Qualifications

• Places children and young people at the heart of decisions.
• Proven track record of raising aspirations and achievement.
• Inspires staff, students and families through authentic leadership.
• Believes deeply in social justice, inclusion and educational excellence.
• Builds a culture where belonging leads to success.

Responsibilities

• Lead with vision, energy and integrity to deliver outstanding outcomes for all students.
• Build on a culture founded on Being Here, Respect and Effort, ensuring every student feels known, valued and inspired to achieve.
• Develop a highly ambitious learning environment where expectations are high and opportunities are limitless.
• Champion inclusion and ensure every young person can thrive, regardless of their starting point.
• Work collaboratively across the Mulberry Schools Trust, benefiting from a culture of partnership, innovation and professional excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Inclusive leadership

Community engagement

Job description

Hours of Work

32.5
Working pattern: Full-time

Contact Information

For more information and to apply for the above post, please contact:

Mulberry Academy Hastings
Rye Road
Hastings
East Sussex
TN35 5DN

Application Notice

Please note, we do not accept CVs.

Childcare Disqualification

This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.

The school will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self-declaration form as part of the pre-employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations.

If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted.

Mulberry Academy Hastings - East Sussex

Are you an inspirational and values-driven leader ready to shape the future of a thriving school community?

Do you want to get to know a community deeply?

Do you want to see children grow in confidence and ambition?

Can you build teams, create opportunities and make decisions today to impact young people for the rest of their lives?

At Mulberry Academy Hastings, we believe every young person deserves an excellent education, high expectations and the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or starting point, and to feel that you belong to the school you are at.

Our Vision

Our vision is simple yet powerful: Ambitious for All.

Role Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Principal who shares our commitment to excellence, inclusion and transformational education. This is a unique opportunity to lead a school that places students at the centre of everything it does, supported by the strength and ambition of the Mulberry Schools Trust.

Opportunity

• Lead with vision, energy and integrity to deliver outstanding outcomes for all students.
• Build on a culture founded on Being Here, Respect and Effort, ensuring every student feels known, valued and inspired to achieve.
• Develop a highly ambitious learning environment where expectations are high and opportunities are limitless.
• Champion inclusion and ensure every young person can thrive, regardless of their starting point.
• Work collaboratively across the Mulberry Schools Trust, benefiting from a culture of partnership, innovation and professional excellence.

We Are Looking For

A leader who:

• Places children and young people at the heart of every decision and instils a sense of pride in the school and the community and is given a strong sense of being included to the school and to the Mulberry Schools Trust.
• Has a proven track record of raising aspirations and achievement.
• Inspires staff, students and families through authentic and visible leadership.
• Believes deeply in social justice, inclusion and educational excellence.
• Can build a culture where every member of the community feels they belong and can succeed.

Why Mulberry?

Recent inspection findings recognised that leaders demonstrate "high ambition for every student " and highlighted the strong relationships between students and staff that ensure students are "known and celebrated as individuals."

As part of the Mulberry Schools Trust, our schools are united by a commitment to access, opportunity and excellence, creating life-changing opportunities for young people and the communities we serve.

Join Us

This is more than a Principalship. It is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, transform lives and lead a school community where ambition, belonging and excellence define every day.

As Principal, you would join a thriving community of five fellow Principals across our East Sussex hub, working alongside leaders of two secondary and three primary schools. You would also collaborate closely with Principals across our wider London hub, comprising six secondary schools and two primary schools.

Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust and is one of our greatest strengths. Our Principals work together as a genuine professional community, regularly sharing expertise, visiting each others schools, providing both support and challenge, and collectively shaping the strategic direction of the Trust. Every school retains its distinctive identity and strong connection to its local community, whilst benefiting from the experience, insight and collective strength of a wider family of schools.

This is a leadership role that offers both autonomy and partnership. You will lead your school with confidence and independence, whilst benefiting from a network of highly experienced Principals who are committed to one another’s success and united by a shared ambition to deliver exceptional outcomes for every young person.

You will be supported by an exceptional Trust Central Team whose role is to enable Principals to thrive. With specialist expertise across people, finance, governance, estates, catering, marketing, admissions and student recruitment, the team provides both strategic and operational support, allowing Principals to focus on educational excellence, school improvement and delivering the very best outcomes for young people.

Lead the Future

Lead the future. Inspire excellence. Transform lives.

Informal Conversation

Candidates are welcome to have an informal conversation with Ms Ruth Holden (Executive Principal) prior to completing an application. Please contact Fateha Zanat, Executive Assistant [e-mail] or by phone [phone] to arrange a call.

Closing Information

Closing date: 23 November 2026

Interview date: To be confirmed

Proposed start date: April or September 2027

Job Application Contact

Mulberry Schools Trust School email: [e-mail]

Job Phone Contact

Mulberry Schools Trust School telephone number: [phone]

Additional Information

The Academy 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 will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record .

All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.