Commercial Services Group Blue tapered spiral Creating Impact
Home School Services

Head of College (Vice Principal) - Full-time

Leigh Academy Mascalls , Paddock Wood

  • Ref:KCC886-5439-279L
  • Posted:24/04/2026
  • Pay:Highly competitive plus performance bonus
  • Start Date:September 2026
  • App Close Date:15/05/2026 at 09:00
  • Interviews:Friday 22nd May 2026

Advert

Highly competitive + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network+ additional LAT benefits.

Leigh Academy Mascalls has an exceptional opportunity for a committed, enthusiastic and passionate Head of College (Vice Principal) to join us from September 2026. Joining us will enable you to work with like-minded colleagues who share your goals and ambitions. You will be part of a team that provides outstanding educational opportunities for all of our pupils through creative, carefully sequenced and highly effective lines of inquiry where all learners are at the very core of driving our curriculum.

This position offers a unique leadership opportunity for those who are inspired to positively impact upon children’s life chances and potential. As part of this position there will be the expectation that you will cover classes to provide release time or provide some teaching to a consistent class. You will support the Principal with the strategic direction of the academy and act in a delegated capacity in their absence.

We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are:

  • an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious leader with a successful track record at secondary level;
  • a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff;
  • confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school;
  • able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance;
  • approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success;
  • able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

 
Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore, the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.

On the basis that interested candidates may be keen to visit the academy before making a formal application, you can arrange this by contacting Lorraine Hughes (Office Manager) - lorraine.hughes@mascalls.latrust.org.uk. Visits will be offered and will be hosted by the Principal, Jo Brooks. Please ensure you offer Lorraine a range of dates when you are available in your initial email to ensure we can coordinate a visit that works for both you and the academy.

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with the Principal about this role can also arrange for a telephone call. Those wishing to do so should also contact Lorraine Hughes (as above) in the first instance.

Closing date: Friday 15th May 2026 (9am)
Shortlisting date: Friday 15th May 2026 (PM)
Interview date: Friday 22nd May 2026

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor) on 01634 412 205 or amy.wenban@latrust.org.uk

Information about the school

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Leigh Academy Mascalls community. As a successful and popular academy, we provide our students with the opportunities within the classroom and beyond to develop into young people who will contribute positively to our local, national and global communities.

At Leigh Academy Mascalls, we offer an incredibly wide curriculum, there are twenty seven different subjects being taught at GCSE level and twenty nine subjects at A level. We are also proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme in Years 7-9 which is designed to develop happy, inquisitive, rounded, independent, globally aware and resilient young people. Our co-curriculum offers an incredible eighteen lunchtime clubs and twenty one after school clubs alongside teams in football, netball, rugby, volleyball and many more.

We achieve academic excellence and promote the Arts, our Creative Arts National Area of Excellence develops the skills and confidence our students need to succeed through visual art, dance, drama and music. There really is an opportunity for everyone to be happy and succeed here and that underpins the very core of our purpose.

Whilst our academy is large, we support our students by breaking it down into smaller schools, known as colleges. Each college is roughly the size of the average primary school and is headed by a large and dedicated leadership team devoted to the academic and pastoral care of the students within it. We prioritise mental health and well being alongside academic achievement through our on-site provision of Place2be, offering full time individual and group therapy sessions for those who need it. In partnership with parents we work closely through the seven-year journey from the very first day to the confident, knowledgeable and disciplined individuals leaving our academy as young adults.

We have incredibly high expectations of behaviour. Our students are happy, they are polite and show respect. Our behaviour systems promote a discipline within our students that prepares them fully for the world beyond the academy. As an academy, as a community we achieve academic excellence, develop strength of individual character supported by our culture of aspiration and celebrating success. Our rewards system recognises the success of our students through achievement points, Golden Tickets, half colours and full colours. Achievement and progress are rewarded within every lesson.

Our recent OFSTED report confirmed that our Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They feel safe and are well looked after and there is very little disruption to learning and staff act quickly to deal with any that occurs.

What underpins all that we do is that we truly care, Leigh Academy Mascalls really is a community in the truest sense. Developing successful and happy young people requires a team, and strong and supportive communication between all members of our community is essential to ensure this. Our students are balanced and compassionate young people who care for one another and have pride in what we all achieve each and every day.

Thank you for reading and I hope we will be welcoming you to the Leigh Academy Mascalls community in the future.

Job Contact Information

  • Name:Talent Team, Leigh Academies Trust
  • Address:Carnation Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2SX
  • Telephone: 01634 412 258
  • Email: Joinus@LATrust.org.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

Apply for this Role Today

Apply Now

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you have read all the relevant information and documents provided by the school. If you are ready to apply for this vacancy please click the "Apply Now" button

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.