At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant primary school, inspiring staff and engaging with the community.
- Company: Sywell CE Primary School, part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust.
- Benefits: Professional development, well-being support, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to inclusion and community values.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Recent senior leadership experience and a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Trust is seeking to appoint an inspiring, talented and dynamic leader to join Sywell CE Primary School in September as their new Principal. The successful candidate will be a senior leader who is ready to take their next step in their career in a strong values-led school, and who displays a strong commitment to professional growth and the flourishing of all.
As Principal, you will have responsibility to lead this thriving village school into its next chapter of excellence. You will be able to inspire and motivate staff to share the ambitions and high expectations for the school and for the children. You will be able to work in partnership with parents to ensure the school serves its community. You will promote the vision and direction of this successful primary school enabling it to build on its achievements to date.
Sywell CE Primary school is a small school where big things happen. Our Christian Narrative (Romans 12:10) speaks to us of the unity of people working towards a shared purpose, whilst recognising and accepting people’s differences. At Sywell CE Primary School we are all “Working Together in God’s Hands” to build our community based on the values of love, respect and fellowship. These foundations underpin our holistic approach to supporting the whole child as an individual in their educational, social and spiritual growth. Together, we endeavour to ensure that every member of our community feels they are an important and valued part of our school.
Sywell is proud to be a part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, alongside all our other schools in the Northamptonshire, Rutland and Peterborough area. PDET is responsible for employing all staff and managing the finances and other central services for the Academies in the Trust. These services include HR support; facilities and premises; procurement and school effectiveness.
The Trust is looking to recruit someone who:
- Has recent, successful senior leadership experience looking for an opportunity to take the next step in their leadership career.
- Is an excellent communicator and can build on the successful working partnerships with families, staff, school forums and the wider community.
- Ensures our enthusiastic children feel safe, happy, and able to learn.
- Is an outstanding practitioner with excellent pedagogy and the ability to coach, guide and mentor staff on how to develop their teaching practice.
- Embraces and is knowledgeable about inclusion.
- Has good knowledge of the curriculum and has high expectations of children's learning and outcomes and how to achieve them.
- Understands and is committed to pupils' pastoral needs and behaviour management.
- Has the ability to work effectively, flexibly, and independently and above all is a committed team member.
- Is a leader who embraces and promotes the Christian ethos of the school.
- Has a flexible approach to working.
- Is an enthusiastic individual who supports and challenges positively, driving change for the benefit of all.
In return, we can offer you:
- A school that is committed to the importance of developing children’s creativity, imagination and love of learning.
- A flourishing school that is committed to inclusion and building relationships that serve the whole school community.
- A school that believes in kindness, love and Christian values that underpin its approach to the whole school community.
- A high quality, committed staff team who are passionate about ‘making a difference’.
- A large trust, spanning Northamptonshire, Rutland and Peterborough, that is highly committed to professional development and provides access to a range of developmental and career opportunities.
- A supportive trust that will challenge you positively and will encourage you to achieve your potential.
The Trust regards developing people as a key priority in order to achieve educational excellence. Hence, we invest in people to develop their individual skills and talents; all members of staff are appreciated for the part they play in a highly effective team. We strive to be an employer of choice; we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and at the heart of what we do.
We have a number of core benefits which include:
- Professional Development: We offer high quality, evidence-based professional development across a range of areas including leadership, teaching and learning, SEND and behaviour management. We support staff in accessing a wide range of qualifications, including Diplomas, Masters and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). As a large employer we pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund and are able to offer a wide range of apprenticeships to both new and existing staff.
- Professional Growth: We have removed traditional ‘performance management’ and have replaced it with ‘professional growth’; a different perspective and a new direction designed to challenge thinking, promote deep reflection, collaboration and change for the better. We listen to career aspirations and how we can support with your goals and next steps. There is no performance-related pay in the Trust - we view our staff as our greatest asset. Our professional growth processes exist to ensure that our staff are able to be the very best they can be. This in turn leads to achieving our core purpose: that every adult and every child flourishes.
- A Well-being Strategy: The Trust has a comprehensive well-being strategy encompassing five strands of well-being. There is an Employee Assistance Programme, providing practical and emotional support and an Employee Benefits Scheme, offering discounts on everyday essentials.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. The Trust welcomes interest from any senior leader/teacher from a church school/non-church school who shares the school’s values. If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Gill Broughton, Director of Education, by email to gill.broughton@pdet.org.uk. To arrange a visit, please feel free to contact the current Headteacher Jo Shortland, who will be more than happy to show you around the school. Jo can be contacted by email to head@Sywell.pdet.org.uk. More information about the school can be found on the following website: https://www.sywellceprimaryschool.org.uk/.
Closing Date – 4pm, Monday 16th March 2026
Interviews Scheduled – Monday 23rd March 2026.
The Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and successful applicants will need to provide two references and undergo a DBS and medical check provided by the school.
PrincipalEDV/2026/SCEPS/98095 in Sywell employer: Peterborough Diocese Education Trust
Sywell CE Primary School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and well-being of its staff within a supportive, values-led environment. As part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a strong commitment to inclusion, and a collaborative culture that fosters creativity and community engagement. With a focus on kindness, respect, and Christian values, Sywell CE Primary School ensures that every team member feels valued and integral to the school's mission of nurturing the whole child.
Contact Details:
Peterborough Diocese Education Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PrincipalEDV/2026/SCEPS/98095 in Sywell
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values before your interview. Dive into their website, check out their mission, and understand what makes Sywell CE Primary School tick. This will help you connect your experience with their ethos during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a leader, you'll need to inspire and motivate others. Try role-playing common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence and refine your message.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style by sharing specific examples from your past experiences. Think about times when you’ve successfully led a team or implemented change. This will demonstrate your ability to drive the school’s vision forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful queries about the school’s community involvement and professional development opportunities. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace PrincipalEDV/2026/SCEPS/98095 in Sywell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for education and leadership shine through in your application. We want to see how you can inspire and motivate others, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and ethos of Sywell CE Primary School. Highlight your commitment to inclusion and community engagement, as these are key aspects of the role.
Be Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your experience and skills, making it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for the Principal position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance to join our amazing team at Sywell CE Primary School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peterborough Diocese Education Trust
✨Know the School's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Sywell CE Primary School's values and ethos. Familiarise yourself with their Christian Narrative and how it shapes their community. This will help you align your answers with what they stand for and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've inspired and motivated staff in those positions. Prepare specific examples of how you've built partnerships with families and the community, as this is crucial for the role. Highlight your commitment to professional growth and how you've supported others in their development.
✨Demonstrate Your Pedagogical Knowledge
As an outstanding practitioner, you should be able to articulate your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the school's high expectations for children's learning. Be prepared to discuss your approach to coaching and mentoring staff, and how you ensure that every child feels safe and happy in their learning environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the school’s future direction, community involvement, and professional development opportunities. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the school is the right fit for you. Remember, it's about finding a place where you can thrive too!
