Vice Principal

Harris Federation; Wickford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development

Job summary

Harris Academy Wickford is seeking an outstanding Vice Principal to work alongside the Principal, focusing on teaching and learning and school improvement. The post is designed as a pathway to Principalship, with responsibilities tailored to strengths and experience.

Visits to the academy and discussions with the Principal are encouraged. You will be part of a leadership group driving data-informed targets, curriculum development and whole-school change.

Qualifications

• QTS and a good undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• Minimum of three years' experience at senior leadership level, at least once as a deputy/ Vice Principal.
• Experience of delivering high quality INSET to teaching staff.
• Proven success in raising achievement as a subject leader across at least two key stages.
• Experience of managing and implementing change at whole school level.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the strategic management of data, assessment and target setting (including reporting achievement data to governors and external bodies as required).
• Leading on teaching, learning and assessment across the academy, providing Professional Learning opportunities to ensure high standards.
• Leading on effective behaviour and inclusion, ensuring that the needs of all students are met within and beyond the classroom.

Skills

Senior leadership

INSET delivery

Data management

Teaching leadership

Behaviour & inclusion

Budget management

Staff recruitment

Monitoring & evaluation

ICT skills

Curriculum development

Coaching

Education

QTS and undergraduate degree

Job description

We are looking for an outstanding individual to join Harris Academy Wickford as Vice Principal.

The post of Vice Principal is one that mirrors the role of the Principal, and the academy will support you as you aspire to Principalship. Your specific responsibilities will be defined according to your own strengths and experience, but there will be a strong focus on teaching and learning.

Visits to the academy and calls with the Principal are encouraged.

WORKING WITH US

Harris Academy Wickford is on an exciting journey to help our fantastic young people harness their potential, achieve extraordinary results and change the world. The Academy joined the Harris Federation in September 2026. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students outperform non disadvantaged students nationally. We are a group of highly ambitious, committed staff who believe in the transformative power of education. Our collective vision is to help our scholars achieve their extraordinary and change the world. Our mission is to become the best school in Essex by 2030. Our values of Hard Work, Ambition, Wisdom and Kindness underpin everything we do.

To learn more about the culture and ethos of our academy, our impact within the community and what we can offer you, view our academy page via the why work at button.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

We are happy to negotiate individual responsibilities with you, but these could involve:

• Overseeing the strategic management of data, assessment and target setting (including reporting achievement data to governors and external bodies as required), working with the Principal to set challenging and aspirational whole academy targets.
• Leading on teaching, learning and assessment across the academy, providing the necessary Professional Learning opportunities to ensure the highest of standards are maintained in the classroom and in student outcomes.
• Leading on effective behaviour and inclusion, ensuring that the needs of all students are met within and beyond the classroom.

As a member of the Academy Leadership Group, you will need to meet these general expectations:

• To collaborate to build and realise the shared vision of excellence and high standards
• To play a major role in determining strategy
• To contribute actively towards the formulation and implementation of all academy policies and procedures
• To agree challenging subject targets, and ensure rigorous monitoring, evaluation and review of progress towards these
• To ensure high quality teaching and learning in line managed faculties
• To manage delegated budgets effectively
• To attend academy leadership meetings
• To engage in the process of appointing new staff
• To participate in duties lunch/break/before and after school
• To contribute to assemblies
• To share in the management of student disciplinary incidents
• To actively participate in the monitoring, evaluation and review of teaching and learning in line managed faculties

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• QTS and a good undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
• Minimum of three years' experience at senior leadership level, at least once as a deputy/ Vice Principal
• Experience of delivering high quality INSET to teaching staff
• Proven success in raising achievement as a subject leader across at least two key stages
• Evidence of leading, supporting and managing others, both individuals and teams, ensuring high quality performance
• Successful experience of processes of monitoring, evaluation and review
• Good level of ICT skills and experience of how new technologies can be used to raise achievement
• Recent experience of involvement in innovative curriculum development
• Experience of presenting to a wide audience
• Ideas of how Language, Literacy and Numeracy can be used across the curriculum to raise standards
• Experience of embedding innovative strategies for improving teaching and learning in a whole school situation
• Experience of managing and implementing change successfully at whole school level
• Experience of using coaching as a model for ensuring on going professional development particularly with subject leaders

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

With Harris, you will join a large network of likeminded senior leaders and have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are some of the best senior leaders in the country. Our senior leaders can benefit from tailored professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership which will enable you to develop your pedagogy, leadership skills and drive school improvement.

Supported by experienced mentors, you can access national professional qualifications and draw on expert knowledge from dedicated subject consultants who offer invaluable subject and curriculum insight.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes an Annual Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.