Substantial & generous salary based on experience and expertise + Discretionary Performance Bonuses + Private Medical Cover + Harris Benefits
Summary
Harris Academy Beckenham are looking to appoint a Principal in the new academic year. We are seeking an exceptional, experienced leader with a passion for transforming lives and driving educational excellence. This is a unique opportunity to lead a school where collaboration, challenge, and the pursuit of excellence are at the heart of everything we do.
As Principal, you will be at the forefront of leading and shaping the vision for the academy, ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This role demands a leader who is not only driven by the desire to deliver academic success, but who also understands the importance of personal growth, wellbeing, and social mobility.
This position could suit either a current Principal/Headteacher or an experienced Deputy looking to progress into their first principalship. For first time Principals, we will provide support, coaching and individual mentoring from a highly experienced Harris Executive Principal to help you succeed in post.
We also offer a variety of CPD programmes to assist you in achieving your vision and future goals. For those thinking ahead to Executive Principalship, we can also offer you the chance to complete your NPQEL via our Harris Institute of Teaching & Leadership.
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.
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
Next Steps
For an informal call with Rebecca Hickey, Secondary Education Director, to discuss this opportunity or to request a visit, please contact Kassy O'Keefe, Talent Acquisition Coordinator via email Kassy.OKeefe@harrisfederation.org.uk.
You will also have full access to our rewards package which includes 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.
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.
