Principal

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.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to raise standards of achievement.
• Ensure a positive ethos that reflects the Academy’s commitment to high achievement, effective teaching and learning, and good relationships.
• Build confidence among staff, governors and parents in the leadership and management of the Academy.
• Recognise accountability for tasks and contribute fully to the development and successful implementation of policies and practices.
• Promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare them for adult life.
• Keep effectiveness under rigorous review, and ensure links with the wider community contribute to students’ attainment and personal development.
• Make efficient and effective use of staff, accommodation and resources.
• Delegate responsibilities to ensure that finance and administration are effective, and that the carefully costed development plan is focused on improving educational outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• A proven track record of school improvement, and successful previous experience in leading, or as part of, an SLT to transform a school and raise outcomes.
• A strong communicator who can engage with and inspire staff, students and parents of the local community.
• 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 develop and 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 rewards package, which includes a performance bonus, private medical cover and numerous other 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.