Principal Development Lead (Secondary Science)

About The Role

Reports to: Head of School Support

Start date: September 2026

Contract: Fixed term contract (1 year), 37.5 hours per week; part-time or term-time applications also welcome

Location: White City, West London with one core office day (Mondays). Regular travel to schools required.

As a Principal Development Lead (Science) you will be a senior representative of the school development team, bringing high credibility and gravitas and building strong relationships with important partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Be proactive in identifying viable opportunities to strengthen the partnership and drive high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Establish strong relationship for science in key accounts (usually Multi Academy Trusts), seeking to understand their priorities and build confidence.
• Manage the external Development Lead pool, working to understand need and capacity in order to identify upcoming gaps.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Science programme in order to offer high quality training, PD and support in the programme.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with partner schools to drive high levels of school retention, ensuring proactive, effective and timely communication and follow-up.

Experience & Knowledge

• Understanding of the education landscape and issues affecting education.
• At least five years’ teaching experience across at least two key stages.
• Proven record in delivering outstanding achievement in Science, particularly for pupils with low prior attainment in challenging urban schools.
• Up-to-date knowledge and use of the current curriculum and assessment requirements and best practice in implementation and delivery of professional development.

Qualification Criteria

• Educated to degree level.
• Hold qualified teacher status (QTS).
• Subject specific qualification/further study (desirable).
• Right to work in the U.K.

Benefits

• Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in‑person collaboration and remote working.
• You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state‑of‑the‑art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days.
• In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad.
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 – 16.00, helping you prioritise your work‑life balance and personal commitments.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3‑years’ service. This entitlement is pro‑rata for part‑time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to high‑quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face‑to‑face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest‑free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

Diversity and Inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding Statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non‑disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.