Vice Principal: Pastoral & Inclusion

Do you have what it takes to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders? Do you have the drive, passion and commitment to deliver inspirational leadership to school staff and young people in a disadvantaged community? If so, becoming a Star leader might just be the best career move you ever make.

Star Academies is seeking motivated and ambitious leader with a passion for inclusion to become Vice Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy. If you are an inspirational role model, eager to make a positive, lasting difference to young people’s life chances, we want to hear from you.

About Highfield Leadership Academy

Highfield Leadership Academy is a state-of-the-art secondary school for 11 to 16 year olds in Blackpool. We joined Star Academies in 2016 and, like all Star schools, we have a leadership specialism.

We are a rapidly improving school with high ambitions and expectations for all of our pupils. We provide a knowledge-based academic curriculum alongside a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action. Our pursuit of educational excellence is based upon our fundamental belief that every pupil has the capacity to become a successful and inspirational leader.

What the role involves

• As Vice Principal you will be responsible for leading the school’s wide-ranging pastoral strategy and securing positive behaviour. 
• You will lead the implementation of processes that support pupils’ wellbeing, strong attendance and positive attitudes. 
• You will be responsible for the maintaining a robust safeguarding culture. 
• You will spearhead the school’s culture of inclusivity and ensure that the work of the SEND team yields positive outcomes for all young people who require support.

What you will get

• The opportunity to shape and lead a dynamic team focused on providing the best possible education for pupils.
• High quality professional mentoring and support for your own professional development as part of Star Academies’ Talent Strategy.
• Regular collaboration with senior leaders across the Star family, enabling sharing of best practice, facilitated by Star’s central team. 

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking an enthusiastic senior leader with demonstrably successful experience of securing whole school improvement in behaviour and inclusion. 

Our Vice Principal will:

• Be values-driven and determined to improve the life chances of young people.
• Be an excellent communicator who inspires staff, pupils, families and external partners.
• Understand the barriers impacting the wellbeing and progress of vulnerable young people, and know the strategies to dismantle them.
• Be a systematic thinker who follows processes assiduously to maintain a culture of safeguarding, inclusivity and educational excellence.
• Be a respected role model and enthusiastic team player.
• Have the skills to build the capacity of colleagues to secure ongoing school improvement.

You will have:

• A degree-level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status
• Experience of senior leadership and management within a school setting
• Experience of successful and sustained delivery of outstanding attainment and achievement
• A strong commitment to our STAR values.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. 

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.

To apply for a place please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Friday 05 July 2024 at midnight.

Assessment Centre Date: To be confirmed. 

Proposed Start Date: Wednesday, 01 January 2025 or sooner if possible

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.