Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) - Full-time

Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, Tonbridge

• Ref:KCC886-5431-417L
• Posted:21/08/2026
• Pay:Leadership scale based on experience
• Start Date:As soon as possible
• App Close Date:07/09/2026 at 23:45
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

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

We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success. This role is situated within the secondary phase of the academy.

The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Hugh Christie even further, whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development.

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

• an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success 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.
• a subject specialist in Mathematics or English.

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.

Information about the school

A very warm welcome to Leigh Academy Hugh Christie. Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is a co-educational school, based in Tonbridge. The school is housed in a state-of-the art building on an attractive campus with excellent facilities.

It is our mission that every child at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is happy, successful and well-prepared for adult life.

We deliver this by having a dedicated staff body, a broad and balanced curriculum with high standards of discipline, creating a disruption free learning environment. Students’ wellbeing is of equal importance alongside their academic progress and we offer outstanding support.

Our core values of being ready, being responsible and being respectful underpin everything we do at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie. Students are provided with a range of opportunities both in and out of the classroom to develop these core values.

We are very proud of the students and staff at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie. We aim to develop excellent working relationships with our parents and carers to ensure that all our students enjoy their learning, make excellent academic progress and become well rounded, responsible global citizens.

Our website can only give you a flavour of what we offer at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, please do come and visit us on one of our open events to meet with our fantastic students and amazing and dedicated staff.

Our Ofsted report from October 2023 confirms that our quality of education, Personal development, leadership and management and sixth form provision are all good. Pupils have a range of opportunities to broaden their experiences. They enjoy the good-quality clubs, trips and visits that the school provides. Pupils develop leadership skills through taking on additional responsibilities. For example, sixth form students apply for roles such as ‘head students’ or ‘house champions’. Many sixth-formers use some of their free periods to support younger pupils’ learning in lessons.

It is our aim that every child at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is happy, successful and well prepared for adult life.

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.

• Job Pack