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Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) (Maternity Cover)
Leigh Academy Tonbridge
Source: UK Teaching Vacancies API · original listing ↗
Source date: 10/27/2026
About this role
Leadership Scale + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits. We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Leigh Academy Tonbridge, a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success. This role is situated within the secondary phase of the academy. The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential. We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards. As a vital requirement for this role, you will be an English subject specialist who will take on line management responsibility for the English department. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Tonbridge even further, whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy. The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development. We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are: • an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at secondary level; • a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff; • confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school; • able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance; • approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success; • able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders. • a subject specialist in English. To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for. Note that whilst the position is offered on a maternity cover basis, every effort will be made to offer a substantive position thereafter, either at Leigh Academy Tonbridge or within the wider family of academies across Leigh Academies Trust. The central Recruitment Team will keep in touch with you throughout your contract to discuss options available to you.