Assistant Principal in Accrington

Accrington Academy has a strong local reputation and has been oversubscribed for several years. We are a successful school, where our staff and students thrive in a purposeful, ambitious, and supportive environment. We seek to provide outstanding education and bring out ‘The best in everyone’ every single day. We are incredibly proud to deliver a curriculum which combines powerful knowledge and outstanding examination results with Education with Character; an education which challenges, inspires and excites our students and prepares them for the ups and downs of life.

With this in mind, we provide a breadth of opportunities and experiences which seek to help our students become confident, well‑rounded, and ambitious young adults. Our curriculum and enrichment programme are overflowing with opportunities to try something new and develop new skills. The academy continues to go from strength to strength, with passionate staff who are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ seeing and treating every student as an individual. The environment in which we work is modern and vibrant with first class facilities.

As a United Learning colleague, you will benefit from:

• Some of the most competitive salaries in the sector, with average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning.
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals.
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers.
• Enhanced family leave benefits.
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover everyday healthcare costs, reducing financial pressure while supporting your wellbeing.
• Discounts on gym memberships.
• A convenient car lease scheme.
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support.

As an Accrington Academy colleague, you will also benefit from:

• A commitment to support you where possible with flexible working options which suit your lifestyle.
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish.
• Excellent facilities and resources, including on‑site gym and pool.

We welcome visits to our school so that you can experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself. Accrington Academy is part of United Learning, a large and growing group of schools aiming to offer a life‑changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional Assistant Principal to join the Senior Leadership Team at Accrington Academy, with strategic responsibility for Personal Development and the Education with Character curriculum. This is a key leadership role, suited to an outstanding practitioner with a strong track record of driving whole‑school improvement and developing provision that supports students’ wider character, aspirations and life chances. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for the Academy’s Education with Character offer, including personal development, careers education, enrichment, and rewards.

This role also includes responsibility for leading the recruitment and promotion of United Learning Initial Teacher Training (ITT) within the Academy, working closely with and line managing the Professional Mentor to ensure high‑quality support and development for trainees and early career teachers. This role would suit an ambitious and values‑driven leader who is passionate about ensuring every student benefits from a rich and inclusive educational experience beyond the classroom. You will be a reflective and strategic thinker, committed to continually evaluating and refining provision to maximise impact.

At Accrington Academy, we are committed to developing well‑rounded, aspirational young people. As Assistant Principal, you will lead and coordinate the Academy’s personal development strategy, including SMSC and British Values, CEIAG and Gatsby Benchmarks, enrichment and extracurricular provision, rewards systems, and the form‑time character curriculum. You will ensure all students have access to meaningful opportunities that prepare them for success in education, employment, and later life.

Leadership Criteria

• Is passionate about personal development and improving life chances for all students.
• Has a strong track record of impactful leadership and securing positive outcomes.
• Demonstrates strategic thinking and the ability to deliver sustained improvement.
• Is committed to inclusion, equality of opportunity, and student wellbeing.
• Can inspire, motivate, and develop both students and staff.

Benefits

• Average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning.
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals.
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers.
• Enhanced family leave benefits.
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover everyday healthcare costs, reducing financial pressure while supporting your wellbeing.
• Discounts on gym memberships.
• A convenient car lease scheme.
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support.

More Time

• All academies start every term with an additional INSET day set aside for your own planning (in addition to the usual five INSET days, giving you eight in total).
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish; and we offer opportunities for flexible working.

More Support

• We provide high‑quality training and development for every stage in your career.
• Every staff member benefits from a personal development plan to support your progression and aspirations.
• We give you access to a high‑quality curriculum with excellent resources and support from expert subject advisers.
• We offer access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme, providing support from legal and financial to family and housing, and access to free counselling and other wellbeing support.

If this sounds like a role you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you. If you would like to arrange a tour of the Academy or if you have any questions about the role please contact the Principal’s PA, Sandra Chadburn on sandra.chadburn@accrington‑academy.org.