Emerging Principals Programme - Senior Vice Principal

City of London Academies Trust

Emerging Principals Programme - Senior Vice Principal

Working Pattern: Full Time

Contract type: Permanent

Start date: 1 September 2025

Salary: L20 - L25 £88,891 - £99,241 (fte) plus Teachers Pension

About the Role

The Emerging Principals Programme (the 'Programme') is designed to prepare and empower ambitious candidates who aspire to lead a Secondary school. This Programme is dedicated to developing educational leaders who are ready to take on the challenges of leading schools that serve pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, inspiring their communities to achieve excellence. The Programme is specifically tailored for talented and experienced Vice Principals who are committed to advancing their careers and assuming Principal roles within the next two years.

About Us

City of London Academies Trust believes strongly in the transformational nature of education operating schools in areas of significant disadvantage. We understand that strong outcomes lead to improved life chances for our students, so we are unashamedly academic and unapologetically results driven. Each of our schools adopt a 'warm/strict' approach, combining high expectations with care and support. Our level of care means we never compromise on standards or expectations, ensuring that no student's background becomes a reason for lowering the bar. Our schools maintain exemplary standards of behaviour, with systems, rituals and norms that instil strong habits. As a result, our schools provide an environment where our teachers can teach, and students can learn without disruption. We take great pride in fostering an exceptionally positive learning environment and we work meticulously to maintain our strong ethos and culture.

COLAT is driven by an unwavering ambition to be the best. We believe exceptional leaders and teachers create outstanding schools, transforming lives and shaping the future of every student. We currently oversee seven secondary academies, three primary academies and one sixth form centre all located in north, south and east London. We combine the heritage and tradition of the Corporation of London with a genuinely innovative, enterprising, and entrepreneurial ethos. We are also committed to providing training and development to all our staff, plus excellent career advancement opportunities within our evolving Trust.

About you

We are seeking a candidate with the potential, commitment, and proven track record to become a Principal within two years. You will embrace the Trust's 'warm/strict' philosophy, recognising that a strong culture, exemplary behaviour, a knowledge-rich curriculum, and effective direct instruction pedagogy are essential to achieving outstanding outcomes. Driven by urgency and a passion for excellence, you firmly believe that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can thrive in an environment that prioritises academic achievement, high standards, and personal growth.

You will have the ability to cultivate and sustain a positive school culture where both students and staff are motivated to reach their full potential. Your dedication to maintaining high expectations will ensure that behavioural standards and academic rigour remain uncompromising. As a proactive leader, you will consistently prioritise culture creation, character development, and student outcomes.

With a keen eye for detail, you will quickly identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to foster continuous development. You will lead with urgency, holding both yourself and others accountable, and create a results-driven environment that maximises student success through effective teaching practices.

How to Apply

If you match our ambition and want to join our dedicated team of professionals, we want to hear from you. Candidates must complete the application form and provide a personal statement in no more than two sides of A4 addressing the following questions:

1. Why do you aspire to be a Principal?
2. What is your educational philosophy?
3. As Principal, how would you lead a school to a progress 8 score of +1.5?

Your application must include full contact details (address, telephone numbers and email addresses) and details of two referees.

For each referee, please provide their name, position, organisation, telephone numbers and email addresses. One of these referees must be your current or most recent employer. If you do not wish us to contact referees at this stage, please make this clear on your application.

If you require any other details, or would like an informal discussion, please contact

Selection Timeline

Closing date for applications is noon, Monday 3 February 2025.

We plan for selection activities and interviews to take place during the week commencing 10 February 2025.

City of London Academies Trust supports Equal Opportunities Employment.

City of London Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, including enhanced DBS checks and a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the standards which flows from City of London Academies Trust vision and values.

The role is covered by part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.

City of London Academies Trust Company Registration No. .