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- Tasks: Lead an Outstanding Primary academy and inspire both staff and students.
- Company: Join the Cabot Learning Federation, a diverse community of 36 academies.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while fostering a culture of inclusion and growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and a passion for high-quality education.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career progression and well-being support.
The predicted salary is between 78702 - 86803 ÂŁ per year.
Your opportunity to lead an Outstanding Primary academy in the heart of Weston super Mare. Following the current Principal’s move into a more senior role within the Trust, we are seeking an energetic, values‑driven and dynamic leader to join Haywood Village Academy. Haywood Village Academy is a primary school serving children from Pre‑school through to Year 6 and is proud to be part of the Cabot Learning Federation.
Colleagues at Haywood Village are professional, enthusiastic and deeply committed to supporting every child to achieve both academically and personally. There is a strong culture of inclusion, shaped by our shared vision of High aspirations – Valuing learning – Achievement for all, and pupils thrive within this supportive and aspirational learning environment.
Working closely with the wider leadership team, the Principal will ensure the smooth and effective leadership of this successful school, building on its strengths while driving continued improvement. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, skilled in building positive relationships with staff, pupils and families, and committed to high‑quality teaching and learning. They will bring resilience, clarity and ambition, alongside a strong commitment to equality, collaboration and professional growth, ensuring Haywood Village Academy continues to provide an exceptional education for its community.
Why CLF? We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others. We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters. We particularly encourage applicants from those groups in order to represent the students we serve, as well as wider underrepresented groups including gender, transgender, age disability, sexual orientation or religion.
What we can offer you:
- Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing support for career development and wellbeing.
- Sector-leading professional development entitlement and opportunities.
- Collaboration with colleagues across the trust through subject communities and specialist networks.
- Shared CLF curriculum, written and curated by trust experts, reducing individual teacher workload.
- Career enhancing and progression opportunities within the trust and through the CLF Institute.
- A collaborative culture which supports workload.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking and many more!
Recruitment timeline:
- Academy Tours: w/c 12th January 2026
- Closing date: 2 February 2026
- Shortlisting: 3 February 2026
- Interviews: 12th & 13th February 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact our Operations Manager Nicki Shapiro at Haywood Village Academy.
How to apply: Please complete a full application form via the Eteach website. As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through the application form.
Please note: there is a requirement on page 24 of the Candidate Information Pack for you to include requested information within the Supporting Statement section of the application form. This information will be reviewed during short‑listing, as part of your application for this role. The Supporting Statement section does not allow anything over an 8,000‑character limit - this is equivalent to 2/3 pages of text in Word, depending on spacing/formatting used.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
Safeguarding Statement: The Cabot Learning Federation are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role has significant responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice within the academy. This role involves working with children on a daily basis and is therefore in regulated activity. The successful applicant will, in accordance with statutory guidance, be subject to a comprehensive pre‑employment checking process including references from current and previous employers, health, right to work in the UK and a child disqualification check. The checks will also include an enhanced DBS check and a further check against the appropriate barred list.
Principal employer: Haywood Village Academy
Contact Detail:
Haywood Village Academy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, take a stroll around Haywood Village Academy if you can. Familiarise yourself with their values and how they support their students. This will help you connect better during your chat with the leadership team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your communication skills! As a Principal, you'll need to build strong relationships with staff, pupils, and families. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a positive school environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your vision! The role is all about driving improvement and maintaining high standards. Think about your goals for the academy and how you plan to achieve them. Share your ideas on inclusion and collaboration to show you're aligned with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Cabot Learning Federation and making a positive impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at Haywood Village Academy, so don’t hold back on sharing your vision for the school!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to carefully read the requirements in the Candidate Information Pack and tailor your supporting statement accordingly. Highlight your relevant experience and how it connects to the role of Principal, keeping within that 8,000-character limit!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and structure your application well. This helps us easily understand your qualifications and how you plan to contribute to our community.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications via the Eteach website, so make sure to complete the full application form there. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the process smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haywood Village Academy
✨Know the Academy Inside Out
Before your interview, take the time to research Haywood Village Academy thoroughly. Understand its values, culture, and recent achievements. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role and the school.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Principal, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your approach to building positive relationships with staff, pupils, and families. Share specific examples of how you've fostered collaboration and professional growth in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Inclusion and Diversity
Given the academy's commitment to inclusion, be ready to talk about your experiences and strategies for promoting equality within the school environment. Highlight any initiatives you've led that support underrepresented groups and how you plan to continue this work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of real-life situations you've faced in your career and how you handled them, particularly those that align with the academy's vision of high aspirations and achievement for all.
