At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a diverse academy community to achieve high standards in teaching and learning.
- Company: Join Harris Academy Beckenham, a vibrant and inclusive secondary school.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, mentoring, and a supportive network of leaders.
- Other info: Access to excellent training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and shape future leaders.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in school improvement and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 € per year.
Main Areas of Responsibility
As Principal, you will need to provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to raise standards of achievement. The Principal’s effective leadership will result in an academy where:
- There is a positive ethos that reflects the Academy’s commitment to high achievement, effective teaching and learning, and good relationships.
- Staff, governors and parents have confidence in the leadership and management of the Academy.
- Staff and governors recognise their accountability for their tasks and contribute fully to the development and successful implementation of policies and practices.
- The life of the Academy and the curriculum effectively promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare them for adult life.
- Effectiveness is kept under rigorous review, and links with the wider community contribute to students’ attainment and personal development.
- Efficient and effective use is made of staff, accommodation and resources.
- Delegated responsibilities to ensuring that finance and administration are effective, and the carefully costed development plan is focused on improving educational outcomes.
Qualifications & Experience
The successful applicant must have a proven track record of school improvement, and have gained successful previous experience in leading, or as part of, an SLT to transform a school and raise outcomes. We are looking for a strong communicator who can demonstrate strengths in engaging with and inspiring not just staff, but also students and parents of the local community. You will provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to further raise standards of achievement.
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who ideally has:
- Qualified Teacher Status, Degree, Further relevant professional studies.
- Relevant Further Degree or NPQH.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of current curriculum developments and how pupils learn.
- Leadership in curriculum development and in monitoring and evaluation strategies.
- Proven track record of raising attainment in an urban, multi-ethnic environment.
- Track record of raising standards in English and Mathematics and good knowledge of raising standards in Literacy and Numeracy.
Rewards & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will be joining a network of likeminded leaders in education and have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are some of the best school leaders in the country. We highly value and encourage all our staff to develop and reach their full potential, and you will have endless opportunities to progress your career with us.
Being a leader at Harris, you will be given the autonomy to evolve your academy’s vision, values, performance, and culture, but you will never be alone; everything you do will be wrapped in support and encouragement from the wider Federation. You will also have full access to our benefits which include a performance bonus, private medical cover and lots more benefits available via our schemes.
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, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
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.
About Us
Harris Academy Beckenham is an oversubscribed, inclusive 11–18 secondary academy serving a richly diverse local community. The academy is characterised by high expectations, strong relationships, and a firm belief that every child can succeed, regardless of background or starting point.
Staff at Harris Academy Beckenham are united by a shared commitment to academic excellence, character development, and social mobility. The curriculum is ambitious and carefully designed to support pupils of all abilities to thrive, while a strong pastoral system ensures that wellbeing, behaviour and personal development remain central to academy life.
As part of the Harris Federation, the academy benefits from proven systems, evidence-led approaches to school improvement, and a culture of collaboration that enables leaders and teachers to learn from best practice across a large and high-performing network of schools.
Alongside academic excellence, we champion core values that develop the whole person: ambition, perseverance, legacy, kindness and scholarship. These are the principles that shape our community and guide our students as they prepare to become future leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
Our Location
Harris Academy Beckenham is in the London Borough of Bromley, an area that combines strong community identity with excellent transport links into central London and across the Southeast. The academy is well connected by rail, tram and bus routes, making it easily accessible for staff travelling from across Greater London and beyond. Beckenham itself offers a mix of urban convenience and green spaces, providing an attractive setting for both work and life outside school.
Why work for us?
Leading Harris Academy Beckenham means joining an organisation that invests deeply in its leaders. Principals within the Harris Federation are empowered to lead with autonomy while benefiting from exceptional central support, including expertise in education, finance, HR, estates, and governance.
You will have access to high-quality leadership development through the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership, including opportunities to complete the NPQEL and to progress towards Executive Principalship for those with longer-term ambitions. Collaboration is a defining feature of the Federation, allowing Principals to work alongside experienced peers and contribute to system-wide improvement.
Above all, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference leading a school where ambition is encouraged, success is celebrated, and education is a powerful driver of life chances.
Principal employer: Harris Academy Beckenham
Harris Academy Beckenham is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of its staff, offering a collaborative work culture enriched by a network of experienced leaders in education. With a strong commitment to high achievement and a supportive environment, employees benefit from extensive training programmes, leadership development opportunities, and the autonomy to shape their academy's vision. Located in the vibrant London Borough of Bromley, the academy provides easy access to central London while fostering a community spirit that enhances both work and life outside school.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other educators, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've improved teaching and learning in your previous roles. They want to see that you can make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews! Research the academy's ethos and values, and think about how your vision aligns with theirs. Bring along ideas on how you can contribute to their goals and improve student outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for positions that suit your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our community. Don't miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style:When writing your application, let us see your unique leadership style shine through. Share specific examples of how you've inspired and engaged staff, students, and parents in your previous roles. We want to know how you create a positive ethos that aligns with our commitment to high achievement.
Highlight Your Track Record:Make sure to detail your proven track record of school improvement. Use concrete data and examples to illustrate how you've raised standards, particularly in English and Mathematics. This will help us understand your impact and how you can contribute to our academy's success.
Connect with Our Values:Familiarise yourself with our core values of ambition, perseverance, legacy, kindness, and scholarship. In your application, reflect on how these principles resonate with your own educational philosophy and how you plan to instil them within our academy community.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a seamless application process. This way, you can ensure all your materials are submitted correctly and reach the right people. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Academy Beckenham
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to articulate your vision for the academy. Think about how you would foster a positive ethos and high achievement. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented similar visions in previous roles.
✨Engage with the Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the local community and how you plan to engage with parents and governors. Prepare to discuss strategies you've used to build strong relationships and how these have positively impacted student outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how it aligns with the academy's values. Share examples of how you've led teams to improve teaching and learning, and how you've held staff accountable while fostering a collaborative environment.
✨Highlight Your Track Record
Bring evidence of your past successes in raising standards, particularly in English and Mathematics. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've employed to improve student attainment, especially in diverse settings, and how you plan to replicate this success at the academy.
