Principal

About The Role

Ark Oval Primary Academy seeks to appoint a new Principal with a clear vision who will continue to embed real excellence in this high-achieving school. The new Principal will lead a strong, dedicated staff team and much to be proud of, but with still more to do. The appointed Principal will join Ark Oval this September (2025), or sooner if possible.

We warmly welcome and encourage confidential conversations about the role and visits to our school for suitable candidates. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact the Regional Director, Kate Magliocco, on or our or our Head of Talent, Lexy di Marco, on

To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by 9am on Friday 28th March. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying please contact us directly.

School visits are to be arranged as suitable for the candidate and interviews will be held week commencing Monday 31 March, or to be arranged as suitable for the candidate.

For more information about the role, the school and Ark, please view the full job pack.

Benefits:

• Influence across network-wide issues through our principal meetings and regional collaboration
• Support from an experienced and supportive Regional Director
• On-hand expertise from our dedicated network education and operations teams who are ready to support you and your school
• Bespoke teacher development programmes supported by the Great Teacher Rubric
• Excellent career development opportunities across both the region and wider Ark network
• Access to excellent senior leadership training
• Highly competitive remuneration.

About Us

Ark Oval Primary Academy is a large and vibrant three-form entry primary school with over 30% of pupils on free school meals, serving the local community in east Croydon. The team at Ark Oval are on a mission to provide a quality education that empowers all pupils to flourish, and are therefore seeking to appoint a highly capable Principal to lead Ark Oval through the next chapter in its history.

Pupil outcomes at Ark Oval are positive, and in 2024, 12% of pupils met the greater depth standard in reading, writing and maths, putting them in the top 14% nationally. Additionally, 10% of pupil premium children achieved greater depth which put them in the top 13% nationally. With strong foundations in place, this is a fantastic opportunity for an existing headteacher seeking a new challenge in a large three-form entry primary, who would thrive in a collaborative network of schools.

Ark Oval is part of the Ark network, one of the country's most successful multi-academy trusts. The newly appointed Principal will have the support of a dedicated Regional Director and have access to exceptional coaching and training opportunities, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with principal colleagues across London and our wider network.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone - staff and students - can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark's diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link .

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark's safer recruitment process, please click this link .

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.