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Vice Principal, HARRIS FEDERATION
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Vice Principal, HARRIS FEDERATION
Vice Principal – Harris Academy Beckenham
WORKING WITH US
Harris Academy Beckenham is a happy, energetic and inclusive 11-18 academy known for being one of the most successful and highest-performing schools in Bromley. Retaining its ‘Outstanding' Ofsted judgement again in May 2023 (following its June 2017 rating), we are one of just 52 schools nationally to achieve this status.
The academy is hugely popular, with 1,500 applicants competing for just 180 places each year. We are renowned for our excellence, high standards of discipline, and academic success—consistently outperforming national averages across all measures. In 2019, we were designated as a ‘World Class’ school due to our distinctive approach to developing students’ skills, character, and global competitiveness. We were re-accredited in 2022, reinforcing our status as an exceptional learning community.
Visit our academy page via the “Why work at” button to explore our culture, community impact, and opportunities.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are seeking an outstanding candidate to join our leadership team as Vice Principal.
This role offers a progressive career pathway, mirroring the Principal’s responsibilities while providing the support needed to progress toward this leadership position.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
While responsibilities can be tailored to your strengths, key focus areas may include (subject to negotiation):
- Overseeing strategic management of data, assessment, and target-setting, including:
- Reporting achievement data to governors and external stakeholders
- Collaborating with the Principal to establish challenging, aspirational whole-academy targets
- Leading teaching, learning, and assessment with a focus on:
- Delivering professional learning opportunities to sustain the highest classroom and student performance standards
- Leading behaviour and inclusion, ensuring all students’ needs are met both in and beyond the classroom
As part of the Academy Leadership Group, you will also:
- Collaborate to build and realise a shared vision of excellence and high standards.
- Play a proactive role in shaping strategic direction.
- Contribute to developing and implementing all academy policies and procedures.
- Set subject-specific targets, ensuring rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and review of progress toward them.
- Maintain high-quality teaching and learning across managed faculties.
- Manage delegated budgets effectively.
- Attend academy leadership meetings.
- Participate in new staff appointments.
- Cover between-school, lunch, break, and before-/after-school duties.
- Contribute to school assemblies.
- Share responsibility for student discipline.
- Actively participate in the assessment of teaching and learning within managed subject areas.
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WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Ideal candidates will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a good undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
- Minimum 3 years of senior leadership experience, including at least one stint as a Deputy/Vice Principal.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality instructor training (INSET).
- Proven track record of raising student achievement as a subject leader across at least two key stages.
- Evidence of thought leadership, coaching, and team management, ensuring high performance across individuals and groups.
- Hands-on experience with monitoring, evaluation, and review processes.
- Strong digital literacy, with the ability to leverage new technologies to enhance student outcomes.
- Recent involvement in innovative curriculum development.
- Experience presenting to diverse audiences.
- Curriculum-integrated strategies to increase standards, particularly through Language, Literacy, and Numeracy.
- A history of boosting teaching and learning via whole-school strategies.
- Experience leading and implementing change effectively at the academy level.
- Proficiency in using coaching techniques for ongoing professional development, particularly for subject leaders.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
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Senior Leader Development
You will join a national network of senior leaders, gaining insights from some of the country’s most effective educators. Harris offers:
- Tailored professional development through the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership.
- Pedagogical growth and leadership skills enhancement, alongside school improvement expertise.
- Mentorship support and opportunities to pursue national qualifications with guidance from specialist subject consultants.
Flexible Working
We promote a lवरูभ supporting work environment to balance professional demands with individual needs. Flexible arrangements can be customised to suit both the academy and staff/student requirements.
Competitive Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Performance and Loyalty Bonus
- Teachers Pension Scheme
- Wellbeing Cash Plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Additional benefits, available online.
Explore further details on our website.
SAFEGUARDING NOTICE
All Harris Federation roles prioritise child and young person welfare. Employment is contingent upon:
- An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
- Verified job-related references.
- Online searches, and—where applicable—prohibition from teaching checks.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and advocates for applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We place a high value on diversity across our staff and student communities, fostering an inclusive work environment.
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
Interested candidates are encouraged to:
- Contact us via the Why work at Harris admin page (link).
- Download the Job Pack, which outlines responsibilities and selection criteria.
Note: Applications received before the closing date will be considered first. Only submissions processed via the academy careers system will be processed.
Harris Academies – Driving excellence in education.
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