Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning Longsands Academy Start Date: January 2027 Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: Leadership Scale 11-15

Closing Date: 9 October 2026 About Longsands Academy At Longsands we are driven by a shared commitment to excellence, ambition and opportunity for every scholar. Serving the St Neots community, Longsands combines high expectations with a warm and inclusive culture where scholars are challenged to achieve their very best. As part of Astrea Academy Trust, we deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum, invest heavily in staff development, and foster a collaborative environment where talented professionals can thrive and grow. Guided by our values of Scholarship, Tenacity, Curiosity, Respect and Responsibility, we are committed to ensuring every scholar leaves us confident, successful and prepared for the future. The Role We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Principal with responsibility for Teaching & Learning to join our ambitious senior leadership team from January 2027. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly accomplished educator who is passionate about developing outstanding classroom practice and raising standards across the academy. As a visible and credible leader, you will combine excellent teaching with strategic leadership, helping to shape academy improvement while supporting colleagues through coaching, mentoring and professional development. Working alongside senior leaders, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring every scholar benefits from consistently excellent teaching and learning. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for teaching, learning and assessment across the academy. Lead and model exceptional classroom practice, setting the standard for others to follow. Drive improvements in teaching quality through coaching, mentoring and professional development. Monitor and evaluate the impact of teaching and learning initiatives, using evidence to inform improvement priorities. Contribute to academy-wide improvement planning and lead key development projects. Support the development of staff at all career stages, helping colleagues maximise their impact on scholar outcomes. Promote a culture of high expectations, excellent behaviour and strong academic achievement. Work collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure safeguarding, curriculum and teaching priorities are fully aligned. What We're Looking For Qualified Teacher Status and a good honours degree. A consistently outstanding classroom practitioner with a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes. Successful experience in middle or senior leadership within a secondary school setting. Proven ability to inspire, develop and challenge colleagues to improve teaching practice. Experience of leading and managing teams effectively. Strong understanding of teaching, learning, assessment and school improvement strategies. The credibility, resilience and strategic thinking needed to influence practice across the academy. A commitment to continuous improvement and to the values and ambitions of Longsands Academy and Astrea Academy Trust.

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities. In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.

Flexible Interview Dates:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window. Ready to Make a Difference? This role offers an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking leadership team and make a significant contribution to the continued success of Longsands Academy. If you are driven by educational excellence and passionate about developing both scholars and staff, we would love to hear from you!