Assistant Principal and Behaviour Lead in London

At Harris Academy Falconwood, our vision, ‘Knowledge is Power, We make it stick,’ is more than just a motto: it’s the bedrock of everything we do. We passionately believe in providing a first-class education that goes far beyond the everyday. We understand that education is the most potent engine for social mobility, empowering young people to transcend their circumstances and seize opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. Our aim is to create a platform for true social mobility, tapping into every child’s unique potential and setting them on a path towards ambitious destinations and informed choices.

We achieve this through a broad, diverse, and ambitious curriculum, designed to do so much more than just impart facts. As highlighted in our recent Ofsted report from March 2025, students at Harris Academy Falconwood receive "a very strong education" and "achieve highly," a direct result of our "carefully designed, ambitious curriculum" that "promotes pupils’ academic and personal achievements extremely well." This curriculum supports students to not only learn the powerful knowledge they need to succeed academically, but also to develop great character, cultivate healthy habits for life, and profoundly broaden their horizons.

We believe in nurturing the whole child, ensuring they are well-rounded individuals ready for the complexities of the modern world. Our commitment to inclusion is paramount to our mission for all students to succeed. This is why we are proud that Ofsted recognised how "the needs of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified and met well," ensuring "all pupils the same high-quality experiences." We want our students to emerge from Harris Academy Falconwood as confident, articulate individuals, fully equipped to navigate the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing world.

We strive to instil resilience and adaptability, so they can face challenges head-on. Beyond academic excellence, we want our students to not only recognise injustice but to actively challenge it. We foster an environment where kindness and support thrive, encouraging every student to contribute positively to the communities they belong to, and to truly understand and enjoy a sense of belonging right here at the academy. We know that a supported student is a successful student, which is why we pride ourselves on putting student personal development and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do to ensure every student goes on to live a happy and successful life.

Harris Academy Falconwood stands as a beacon of educational excellence. The academy’s recent, remarkable progress is a testament to the effective leadership of all staff and the hard work of our outstanding students.

We are looking for an outstanding leader to join us as Assistant Principal, supporting the strategic and operational management, development and leadership of Harris Academy Falconwood, and ensuring the achievement of our ethos, aims and objectives.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To create a true learning institution in the academy at all levels
• To play a major role in formulating the aims, objectives and shared vision of the academy
• To lead the development and maintenance of a high quality positive learning environment
• To take full responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in your key area of responsibility
• To ensure high quality teaching across the academy
• To work with colleagues to ensure data is used effectively and consistently
• To work with the SLT to lead the assessment and reporting programme
• To support staff in making sure high quality intervention programmes are in place
• To support colleagues and subject leaders in developing schemes of learning
• With the SLT, to develop strategies to enhance teachers’ ability to learn and to develop advanced teaching skills
• To raise students’ aspirations and achievement
• To ensure the highest standards of achievement for all students
• To ensure the entitlement of all students to have equal access to and participation in all aspects of the curriculum.
• To ensure the efficient and effective provision of cross curricular skills, knowledge and understanding
• To identify and monitor successful learning outcomes
• To monitor, review and evaluate teaching and learning and classroom practice
• To maintain an informed view of standards and of the quality of teaching across the academy
• To challenge under-performance at all levels and throughout all departments
• To establish, and maintain, the highest possible standards of behaviour, learning and attainment
• To demonstrate and articulate high expectations and set aspirational targets
• To act as a role model in the provision of high quality learning, teaching and assessment
• To coordinate the activities of staff
• To lead and manage staff in an appropriate manner
• To assist in the implementation of effective procedures to support teachers who are underperforming
• To maintain high morale amongst staff and set an example of professional standards and leadership
• To contribute to the recruitment, training, deployment and professional development of staff
• To promote and sustain effective management of the Academy environment
• To provide information about the work and performance of staff
• To chair meetings

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• QTS (or equivalent) and a good undergraduate degree
• Extensive teaching experience
• Outstanding teaching practice
• Successful management experience as Head of Department or member of the SLT
• Experience of writing department SEF
• Experience of lesson observations and giving feedback
• Experience of improvement planning
• Experience of implementing a range of strategies to raise student achievement, with evidence of success
• Contribution to impact on the quality of learning and teaching and curriculum
• Experience of developing and sustaining positive relationships with students, parents, staff and the Governing Body to build consensus support and capacity
• Proven track record of managing and implementing change in relation to teaching practices and standards
• A track record of success in leadership and management

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.

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 a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits.

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.

Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers. Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.